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Tv 


TEN  THOUSAND  CHINESE  THINGS.’ 


A 

DESCRIPTIVE  CATALOGUE 

OF  THB 

CHINESE  COLLECTION, 

IN 

Eftfimijpftfa. 


WITH 

MISCELLANEOUS  REMARKS  UPON  THE  MANNERS,  CUSTOMS, 
TRADE,  AND  GOVERNMENT  OF  THE  CELESTIAL  EMPIRE. 


PHILADELPHIA: 

PRINTED  FOR  THE  PROPRIETOR. 

1839. 


Entered  according  to  the  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1839,  by 
Nathan  Dunn, 

(The  proprietor  of  the  Chinese  Collection,) 
in  the  Clerk’s  Office  of  the  District  Court  of  the  United  States,  of  the  Eastern  District 
of  Pennsylvania. 


CONTENTS. 


Pag# 

General  View  of  the  Interior  of  the  Saloon  - - 3 

Screen  separating  the  Vestibule  from  the  Saloon  4 

Case  I.  - - - - - - - - 5 

Case  II.  - --  --  --  8 

Case  III.  - - - - - - - -II 

Case  IV.  - --  --  --  14 

Case  V.  - - - - - - - -16 

Case  VI. 19 

Case  VII.  - - - - - - - 22 

Case  VIII.  -------  25 

Case  IX.  - - - - - - -28 

Case  X.  - » 29 

Case  XI.  - - - - - - -30 

Case  XII.  -------  ib. 

Case  XIII.  - - - - - - -35 

Case  XIV. 38 

Case  XV. 41 

Case  XVI.  -------43 

Case  XVII.  - - - - - - -46 

Case  XVIII. ib. 

Case  XIX.  - - - - - - -47 

Cases  XX.,  XXII.,  & XXIII.  - - - - 49 

Case  XXI.  - ib. 

Case  XXIV. 50 

Case  XXV. 51 

Case  XXVI.  - 52 

Case  XXVII. ib. 

Case  XXVIII. 53 

Case  XXIX. ib. 

Case  XXX.  - — — — — -«  55 

Case  XXXI.  - - • - - - -57 

Case  XXXII. 59 


1 


2 


Case  XXXIII. 

Cases  XXXIV.,  XXXV.,  <fc  XXXVI. 

Case  XXXVII. 

Case  XXXVIII. 

Case  XXXIX.  - 

Case  XL.  ------ 

Case  XLI.  ...  - 

Case  XLII.  - - - - ' - 

Case  XLIII.  - • 

Case  XLIV. 

Case  XLV. 

Case  XLVI. 

Case  XL VII.  ------ 

Case  XL VIII. 

Case  XLIX.  ------ 

Case  L.  - --  --  -- 

Case  LI.  ------ 

Case  LII.  ------ 

Case  LIII. 

Lamps  and  Lanterns  ------ 

Maxims  on  the  Entablatures  - 

Paintings  - 

Description  of  the  City  of  Canton  - 

General  Remarks  on  the  Government  and  People  of  China  - 

Foreign  Intercourse  with  China^  - - - - 


Ph* 

59 

60 

61 

ib. 

62 

63 

ib. 

64 

ib. 

65 

67 

ib. 

ib. 

69 

70 

71 

ib. 

72 

73 

74 

75 

77 

92 

94 

106 


DESCRIPTIVE  CATALOGUE 


OF  THE  COLLECTION. 


General  view  of  the  interior  of  the  Saloon . 

The  Chinese  Collection  occupies  the  lower  saloon  of 
that  vast  and  splendid  edifice,  recently  erected  at  the 
corner  of  Ninth  and  George  streets  by  the  Philadelphia 
Museum  Company.  This  apartment  is  163  feet  in  length 
by  70  in  width,  with  lofty  ceilings,  supported  by  22  neat 
and  substantial  wooden  pilasters.  On  passing  through  the 
vestibule,  the  visiter  finds  himself,  as  it  were,  transported 
to  a new  world.  It  is  China  in  miniature.  The  view  is 
imposing  in  the  highest  degree.  The  rich  screen-work  at 
the  two  ends  of  the  saloon,  the  many-shaped  and  many- 
coloured  lamps  suspended  from  the  ceiling;  the  native 
paintings  which  cover  the  walls;  the  Chinese  maxims 
adorning  the  columns  and  entablatures ; the  choice  silks, 
gay  with  a hundred  colours,  and  tastefully  displayed  over 
the  cases  along  the  north  side,  and  the  multitude  of  cases 
crowded  with  rare  and  interesting  sights,  form  a tout  en- 
semble, possessing  a beauty  entirely  its  own,  and  which 
must  be  seen  before  it  can  be  appreciated. 


4 


[The  visiter  is  requested  to  commence  with  the  screen 
at  the  entrance,  and  then,  turning  to  the  left,  to  take  the 
cases  in  the  order  in  which  they  are  numbered.  The 
paintings  will  be  subsequently  noticed  by  themselves.] 

Screen  separating  the  Vestibule  from  the  Saloon. 

In  the  partition  which  separates  the  vestibule  from  the 
grand  saloon,  we  have  an  admirable  specimen  of  Chinese 
screen-work.  It  is  richly  and  tastefully  gilded ; the  por- 
tion of  the  wood-work  not  covered  with  gold  is  painted  of 
delicate  green ; and  the  silk  inserted  in  the  panels  is  as 
gay  as  it  can  be  rendered  by  a profusion  of  exquisitely 
executed  paintings  of  the  most  delicate  and  magnificent  of 
eastern  flowers.  The  whole  view  is  redolent  of  the  spirit 
and  beauty  of  spring.  The  drawings  and  colouring  of  the 
flowers  are  admirable,  and  show  the  perfection  which  has 
been  attained  in  these  branches  of  their  art  by  Chinese 
painters.  Besides  the  floral  delineation,  there  is  also  a 
row  of  silk  panels,  if  we  may  be  allowed  the  expression, 
exhibiting  views  of  naval  architecture,  both  curious  and 
instructive. 

At  each  end  of  this  screen-partition  there  is  a superb 
China  vase,  about  six  feet  high,  including  the  base.  These 
are  of  a size  and  beauty  such  as  we  rarely  meet  with  in 
this  country.  They  are  covered  with  a profusion  of  cha- 
racteristic figures,  among  which  the  imperial  dragon  holds 
a distinguished  place. 

On  the  left  is  a portrait  of  Taou-Kwang,  the  reigning 
emperor  of  China,  in  state  costume ; on  the  opposite  side 
is  a corresponding  portrait  of  his  consort. 


5 


CASE  I. 

No.  1 . Mandarin  of  the  first  class. 

2.  Mandarin  of  the  second  class. 

Two  Secretaries. 

T?vo  massive  Arm-chairs , covered  with  crimson  dra- 
pery, richly  embroidered. 

Square  Table , handsomely  carved , 7vith  marble  top. 

Specimen  of  crimson  Drapery,  elegantly  embroid- 
ered, hanging  in  front  of  the  table. 

Cap  Stands  and  various  ornamental  articles. 

Chinese  Maxims  on  the  wall. 

This  case  contains  two  civil  mandarins,  of  the  first  and 
second  grades.  The  one  highest  in  rank  is  seated,  with 
his  head  uncovered;  the  other,  with  his  cap  still  on,  is 
paying  the  customary  respect  to  his  superior,  previous  to 
his  occupancy  of  an  adjoining  chair.  The  former  is  upon 
the  left,  this  being  the  post  of  honour  among  the  Chinese. 
A secretary  is  in  waiting  behind  each,  with  some  official 
documents  in  his  hand.  The  two  dignitaries  are  attired  in 
their  state  robes,  which  are  literally  stiff  with  embroidery, 
a liberal  proportion  of  which  is  wrought  with  gold  thread. 
Each  has  an  enormous  bead  necklace,  extending  below 
the  waist  in  front,  with  a string  of  “ court  beads”  attached 
to  it  at  the  hinder  part  of  the  neck,  which  reaches  down 
to  the  middle  of  the  back.  The  caps  are  dome-shaped, 
with  the  lowxr  portion  turned  up,  and  forming  a broad 
rim,  which  is  faced  with  black  velvet.  The  top  of  the  cap 
is  surmounted  by  a globular  button,  or  ball,  from  which 
there  depends  a sufficient  quantity  of  crimson  silk  to  cover 
completely  the  whole  of  the  upper  portion.  The  material 
and  colour  of  the  crowning  sphere  indicates  the  rank  of 


6 


the  wearer.  Besides  this  distinctive  button,  each  grade 
of  mandarins  has  a characteristic  badge,  worn  both  upon 
the  breast  and  the  back.  This  is  a square  piece  of  black 
silk,  covered  with  various  embroidery.  Its  centre  is  occu- 
pied with  the  figure  of  a bird,  a dragon,  or  a tiger.  The 
rank  of  the  officer  is  designated  by  the  kind  and  colour  of 
the  central  figure.  In  the  badges  of  the  two  mandarins  in 
this  case,  for  example,  the  figure  in  each  is  a bird,  but  in 
one  it  is  white,  and  in  the  other  blue. 

The  articles  of  furniture  in  the  first  case  are  such  as 
are  commonly  met  with  in  the  houses  of  the  higher  classes. 

It  is  deserving  of  remark  that  the  Chinese  are  the  only 
Eastern  nation  who  make  use  of  chairs. 

The  nobility  of  China  are  of  two  kinds,  hereditary  and 
official.  The  former  class  is  not  numerous,  nor  greatly 
influential.  It  consists  chiefly  of  the  relations  of  the  em- 
peror, who  are  styled  princes , and  are  bound  to  live  within 
the  precincts  of  the  imperial  palace.  The  real  nobility,  or 
aristocracy,  of  the  country,  are  the  mandarins.  Of  these 
there  are  estimated  to  be,  on  the  civil  list  of  the  empire, 
not  less  than  fourteen  thousand.  The  mandarins  are  di- 
vided into  nine  ranks,  or  pin , each  of  which  is  indicated 
by  a double  badge — the  colour  of  the  globe  on  the  apex  of 
the  cap,  and  the  embroidery  on  the  front  and  back  of  their 
official  robes.  The  colours  employed  are  red,  blue,  crys- 
tal, white,  and  gold  ; and  these,  with  certain  modifications 
of  shade,  serve  to  distinguish  what  are  denominated  “ the 
nine  ranks.”  The  nominal  rank,  and  of  course  the  dis- 
tinctive costume,  of  any  of  the  official  grades,  may  be  pur- 
chased of  the  emperor.  It  is,  however,  rarely  done,  as 
the  sum  demanded  is  very  large.  Hoqua,  for  instance,  the 
richest  of  the  Hong  merchants,  whose  likeness  we  have  in 
the  figure  of  the  mandarin  of  the  first  class,  purchased  his 
nominal  rank  at  the  enormous  price  of  SI 00,000. 

Persons  are  selected  for  civil  office  in  China  with  an 
almost  exclusive  reference  to  their  talents  and  education. 


7 


Strange  as  it  may  seem,  there  is  probably  no  other  coun- 
try on  the  globe  where  cultivated  talent  exercises  its  legiti- 
mate sway  to  an  equal  extent.  Wealth,  and  titular  nobili- 
ty, and  purchased  rank,  have  their  influence,  no  doubt; 
but,  unless  accompanied  by  personal  merit,  and,  above  all, 
by  education,  their  power  is  comparatively  limited  and  fee- 
ble. The  emperor  chooses  for  his  officers  none  but  men 
of  the  highest  attainments  and  most  commanding  abilities. 

It  is  well  known  that  the  civil  institutions  of  China  claim 
to  be  framed  and  fashioned  upon  the  exact  model  of  a wise 
family  government.  The  emperor  is  invariably  spoken  of 
as  the  father  of  the  nation  ; the  viceroy  of  a province  ar- 
rogates the  same  title  in  reference  to  his  satrapy ; a man- 
darin is  regarded  as  holding  a similar  relation  to  the  city 
which  he  governs ; and  even  a military  commander  is  the 
father  of  his  soldiers.  This  idea,  and  the  sentiments  cor- 
responding to  it,  are  sedulously  instilled  into  every  subject 
of  the  empire,  from  the  earliest  dawn  of  the  intellect  till 
its  powers  are  extinguished  by  death.  The  book  of  Sacred 
Instructions,  whose  sixteen  discourses  are  read  to  the 
people  twice  every  moon,  inculcates  the  doctrine  again  and 
again.  “ In  our  general  conduct,”  it  says,  “ not  to  be  or- 
derly is  to  fail  in  filial  duty ; in  serving  our  sovereign,  not 
to  be  faithful  is  to  fail  in  filial  duty ; in  acting  as  a magis- 
trate, not  to  be  careful  is  to  fail  in  filial  duty ; in  the  inter- 
course of  friends,  not  to  be  sincere  is  to  fail  in  filial  duty; 
in  arms  and  in  war,  not  to  be  brave  is  to  fail  in  filial 
duty.” 


8 


CASE  II. 

No.  3.  Mandarin  of  the  sixth  class. 

4.  Mandarin  of  the  fourth  class. 

Servant. 

Chinese  Soldier  with  matchlock. 

Circular  Chinese  Shield , made  of  rattan . 

Various  military  Weapons  on  wall. 

The  second  case  on  the  north  side  of  the  saloon,  con- 
tains two  mandarins  of  the  inferior  grades,  a secretary, 
and  a common  soldier,  together  with  specimens  of  most 
of  the  national  military  implements.  The  costume  of  these 
mandarins — one  being  of  the  fourth,  the  other  of  the  sixth 
class — is  far  inferior  to  that  of  the  two  in  the  first  case. 
Their  long  silk  petticoats  are  fastened  round  the  waist  by 
means  of  belts,  one  of  which  is  united  in  front  by  a clasp, 
and  the  other  is  tied  in  a knot  behind.  The  visiter  will 
notice  a variety  of  accoutrements  attached  to  these  belts, 
rather  military  in  their  appearance,  but  not  at  all  so  in 
reality.  In  fact,  a Chinese  never  goes  armed,  as  the  jea- 
lousy of  the  government  has  denied  the  privilege  of  wearing 
arms  to  all  except  the  soldiers  on  parade.  The  append- 
ages referred  to  are,  therefore,  altogether  peaceful,  such  as 
a silk  fan-sheath,  embroidered  tobacco  pouches,  &c.  The 
caps  are  of  bamboo,  cone-shaped,  but  not  turned  up  at  the 
edges ; one  of  them  having  crimson  silk,  the  other  horse- 
hair dyed  red,  pendent  from  the  crowning  ball.  These 
are  summer  caps. 

The  servant  is  standing  behind  his  superior,  and  reaching 
out  to  him  a red-covered  official  document.  He  is  attired 
in  a gown  and  spencer  of  dark  nankeen,  the  common  ma- 
terial of  the  dresses  of  the  lower  orders. 


9 


The  soldier  has  on  a huge  pair  of  coarse  blue  nankeen 
trousers,  and  a red  tunic  of  the  same,  with  white  facings 
The  cap  is  of  quilted  nankeen,  with  the  edge  turned  up,  and 
a red  knot  at  the  top.  More  commonly,  it  is  either  of  rattan 
or  bamboo  painted,  being  in  a conical  shape,  and  wfcll  suited 
to  ward  off  a blow.  He  is  armed  with  a rude  matchlock, 
the  only  kind  of  hand  fire-arms  known  among  the  Chinese. 
There  is  hung  up  on  the  wall  a shield,  constructed  of  rat- 
tan turned  spirally  round  a centre,  very  similar  in  shape 
and  appearance  to  our  circular  basket  lids.  Besides  the 
matchlock  and  shield,  a variety  of  weapons,  offensive  and 
defensive,  are  in  use  in  China;  such  as  helmets,  bows  and 
arrows,  cross-bows,  spears,  javelins,  pikes,  halberds,  double 
and  single  swords,  daggers,  maces,  a species  of  quilted  ar- 
mour of  cloth  studded  with  metal  buttons,  &c. 

The  standing  army  of  the  Celestial  Empire  numbers 
about  700,000  men,  of  whom  80,000  are  Tartars,  the  rest 
native  Chinese.  The  military  power  of  “ Heaven’s  Son” 
appears  formidable  in  figures,  but  has  little  claim  to  be  so 
considered  in  reality.  If  the  universal  testimony  of  eye- 
witnesses may  be  taken  as  proof,  the  army  is  little  better 
than  a rabble  rout,  mere  men  of  straw,  destitute  of  disci- 
pline, bravery,  science,  skill,  and  every  other  soldier-like 
quality.  Of  artillery  they  know  nothing.  They  have  no 
gun-carriages,  their  cannon  being  fixed  immovably  in  one 
position.  When  the  Sylph  and  Amherst,  British  men-of- 
war,  sailed  up  the  coast,  the  Chinese  soldiers  threw  up  nu- 
merous mounds  of  earth,  and  white-washed  them,  to  give 
them  the  appearance  of  tents  ! 

The  costumes  of  the  Chinese,  as  displayed  in  the  figures 
of  this  Collection,  form  an  interesting  subject  of  ob- 
servation. The  dress  of  every  grade  of  society  in  China 
is  fixed  by  usage.  Persons  in  the  lower  classes  wear 
coarse  and  dark-coloured  fabrics;  while  those  who  have 
been  more  favoured  in  the  accidents  of  birth  and  fortune 
seek  the  gratification  of  their  taste  in  rich  and  costly  silks, 
2 

) 


10 


satins,  furs,  broadcloths,  and  embroidery.  There  is  a great 
variety  in  the  dresses;  yet,  as  Mr.  Wood  observes,  “the 
general  model  is  not  departed  from,  the  usual  articles  being 
a shirt,  drawers,  a long  gown  or  pelisse  buttoning  in  front 
over  them,  stockings  and  shoes.”  The  shoes  are  singular 
enough.  The  uppers  are  generally  of  embroidered  cloth, 
sometimes  one  colour,  sometimes  another,  the  lower  por- 
tion of  the  soles  is  leather  made  of  hogs’  skins,  while  the 
intermediate  space,  commonly  about  an  inch  in  thickness, 
is  filled  up  with  bamboo  paper,  with  the  edge  painted 
white.  They  are  quite  light,  notwithstanding  their  clumsy 
appearance.  The  Chinese  seem  to  have  a great  partiality 
for  blue  in  their  dresses.  Frequently  the  whole  garment 
is  of  this  colour,  and  even  when  this  is  not  the  case,  the 
collar,  cuffs,  and  lower  edges  of  the  drawers  are,  for  the 
most  part,  of  the  favourite  hue. 

The  wealthier  Chinese  are  extravagantly  fond  of  showy 
dresses,  and  a well-provided  wardrobe  is  an  object  of  great 
pride.  Handsome  garments  often  descend,  as  an  heirloom, 
from  generation  to  generation,  and  constitute  the  chief 
riches  of  a family.  A deficiency  of  clean  body-linen  is  not 
regarded  as  a calamity  by  a Chinaman.  A fair  outside  is 
what  he  mainly  covets,  being  little  heedful  of  either  the 
quality  or  condition  of  what  is  underneath.  The  change 
from  a summer  to  a winter  costume,  and  vice  versa , is  made 
simultaneously  throughout  an  entire  province,  the  viceroy 
setting  the  example  by  assuming  the  cap  appropriate  to  the 
season. 


11 


CASE  III. 

No , 5.  Liter aru  gentleman  in  summer  costume. 

6.  do. 

7.  do. 

Servant  handing  a hook. 

Chinese  hook-case. 

This  case  contains  a group  of  three  literati,  in  summer 
costume.  Their  dresses,  which  are  light  and  free,  contrast 
advantageously  with  those  tight  and  high-collared  garments 
with  which  fashion  obliges  us  to  encumber  ourselves.  The 
visiter  will  observe,  in  the  hand  of  one  of  these  philoso- 
phers, what  he  would  naturally  take  for  a smelling-bottle, 
but  what  is  really  a receptacle  for  snuff.  Tobacco,  in  all 
the  forms  of  its  preparation,  is  extensively  used.  Trans- 
muted into  snuff,  it  is  carried,  not  in  boxes,  but  in  small 
bottles,  with  stoppers,  to  which  there  is  attached  a little 
spoon  or  shovel.  With  this  they  take  out  the  pungent 
dust,  and  place  it  upon  the  back  of  the  left  hand,  near  the 
lower  thumb  joint,  whence  it  is  snuffed  up  to  the  olfactories, 
there  to  perform  its  titillating  office. 

There  is  placed  here,  very  appropriately,  a Chinese 
book-case,  beautifully  carved  and  highly  polished.  The 
books  are  kept  in  the  lower  section,  where  they  are  pro- 
tected from  dust  by  doors  in  front;  the  upper  section  is  an 
open  cabinet,  divided  into  five  unequal  compartments,  set 
off  by  divers  ornamental  articles.  The  books  are  placed 
in  a horizontal  position,  and  the  titles  are  put  on  the  end 
instead  of  the  back. 

We  regret  that  our  restricted  limits  forbid  our  entering 
at  any  length  into  the  consideration  of  the  education  and 


12 


literature  of  China.  This  is,  beyond  comparison,  the  most 
interesting  and  instructive  point  of  view  in  which  the 
Chinese  can  be  contemplated.  We  cannot,  indeed,  praise 
the  kind  of  education  practised  in  China.  The  studies  are 
confined  to  one  unvaried  routine,  and  to  deviate  in  the 
smallest  degree  from  the  prescribed  track,  would  be  re- 
garded as  something  worse  than  mere  eccentricity.  Science, 
therefore,  properly  speaking,  is  not  cultivated  at  all. 
There  is  no  advancement,  no  thirsting  after  fresh  achieve- 
ments of  knowledge,  no  bold  and  prying  investigations  into 
the  mysteries  of  nature.  Chymistry,  physiology,  astro- 
nomy, and  natural  philosophy,  are  therefore  at  a low  ebb. 
The  instruction  given  in  their  schools  is  almost  wholly  of 
a moral  and  political  complexion,  being  designed  solely  to 
leach  the  subjects  of  the  empire  their  duties.  Within  the 
allotted  circle  all  are  educated,  all  must  be  educated.  Ac- 
cording to  Mr.  Davis,  a statute  was  in  existence  two  thou- 
sand years  ago,  which  required  that  every  town  and  village, 
down  even  to  a few  families,  should  have  a common  school; 
and  one  work,  of  a date  anterior  to  the  Christian  era, 
speaks  of  the  “ ancient  system  of  instruction.”  There  are 
annual  examinations  in  the  provinces,  and  triennial  exami- 
nations at  Peking,  which  are  resorted  to  by  throngs  of  am- 
bitious students.  The  whole  empire  is  a university,  a 
mighty  laboratory  of  scholars.  The  happy  men  who  pass 
successfully  through  the  several  ordeals  necessary  to  be 
undergone,  are  loaded  with  distinctions.  They  are  feasted 
at  the  expense  of  the  nation ; their  names  and  victories  are 
published  throughout  the  empire;  they  are  courted  and 
carressed  ; and  they  become,  ipso  facto , eligible  to  all  the 
offices  within  the  gift  of  the  sovereign.  All  this  is  that  the 
emperor  may  “pluck  out  the  true  talent”  of  the  land,  and 
employ  it  in  the  administration  of  the  government.  The 
fourteen  thousand  civil  mandarins  are,  almost  without  ex- 
ception, the  beaux  esprits — the  best  scholars — of  the  realm. 
Educated  talent  here  enjoys  its  just  consideration.  All 


13 


other  titles  to  respect,  all  other  qualifications  for  ofiicc,  are 
held  as  naught  compared  with  this.  This,  undoubtedly,  in 
connexion  with  the  rigid  enforcement  of  the  doctrine  of 
responsibility,  is  the  true  secret  of  the  greatness  and  pros- 
perity, the  stability  and  repose  of  the  Celestial  Empire. 
For,  as  Dr.  Milne  truly  remarks,  they  are  the  ambitious 
who  generally  overturn  governments  ; but  in  China  there  is 
a road  open  to  the  ambitious,  without  the  dreadful  alterna- 
tive of  revolutionizing  the  country.  All  that  is  required 
of  a man  is  that  he  should  give  some  proof  of  the  posses- 
sion of  superior  abilities ; not  an  unreasonable  requisition 
certainly. 

The  Chinese  are  a reading  people,  and  the  number  of 
their  published  works  is  very  considerable.  In  the  de- 
partments of  morals,  history,  biography,  the  drama,  poetry, 
and  romance,  there  is  no  lack  of  writings,  “ such  as  they 
are.”  Of  statistical  works  the  number  is  also  very  large. 
Their  novels  are  said  to  be,  many  of  them,  excellent  pic- 
tures of  the  national  manners.  The  plot  is  often  very 
complex,  the  incidents  natural,  and  the  characters  well  sus- 
tained. China  has  had,  too,  her  Augustan  age  of  poetry. 
It  is  remarkable  that  this  brilliant  epoch  in  Chinese  letters 
was  during  the  eighth  century  of  our  era,  when  almost  the 
whole  of  Europe  was  sunk  in  gross  ignorance  and  bar- 
barism. 


13 


14 


CASE  IV. 

No.  8.  Chinese  lady  of  rank,  with  fan . 

9.  do.  preparing  to  smoke. 

10.  do.  with  guitar. 

Two  female  domestics. 

Chinese  table , handsomely  carved , gilt , and  painted. 

Specimen  of  citron , or  finger  fruit. 

The  fourth  case  introduces  us  to  a group  of  Chinese 
beauties.  We  have  here  three  young  ladies  of  rank,  in 
full  costume.  Their  hair,  which  is  done  up  on  the  back 
of  the  head  in  bunches,  and  fastened  with  two  bodkins 
stuck  in  crosswise,  is  gayly  adorned  with  wreaths  of  flow- 
ers. There  is  considerable  variety  in  their  dresses,  but 
they  are  all  of  the  richest  materials,  and  magnificently  em- 
broidered. They  are  exceedingly  modest  and  becoming, 
concealing  entirely  the  contour  of  the  person.  The  expo- 
sure wThich  fashion  allows  to  European  and  American 
ladies,  would  be  looked  upon  by  the  Chinese  women  as  a 
flagrant  offence  against  true  modesty.  The  “ golden  lilies, ” 
as  the  small  feet  are  called,  figure,  we  cannot  say  “large- 
ly,” but  interestingly,  in  these  fair  ones.  Their  hands  are 
very  delicate ; their  eyebrows  gracefully  arched ; their 
features  regular  and  oval ; their  noses  too  flat  for  beauty ; 
and  the  whole  countenance,  though  rather  pretty,  and  cer- 
tainly not  unamiable,  is  deficient  in  strength  of  expression. 
Their  occupations  are  characteristic;  one  of  them  is  fin- 
gering a guitar,  another  is  smoking,  while  the  third  is 
amusing  herself  with  a fan.  From  the  waist  depends  the 
never  absent  tobacco-pouch,  elegant  in  material,  form,  and 
workmanship.  Each  has  three  plain  rings  in  either  ear. 


15 


The  footstools  upon  which  their  “ golden  lilies”  rest,  are 
covered  with  embroidered  silk. 

This  case  also  contains  two  female  domestics,  with  feet 
of  the  natural  size,  as  it  is  only  parents  of  the  wealthier 
sort  who  can  afford  to  their  daughters  the  luxury  of  small 
feet.  One  of  them  is  bringing  tea  to  her  mistress,  in  a cup 
with  a saucer-like  cover.  The  common  mode  of  making 
tea  in  China,  is  to  place  a few  leaves  in  each  cup,  and  pour 
boiling  water  upon  them.  The  cups  are  always  provided 
with  tops,  to  preserve  the  delicate  aroma  of  the  tea,  and 
the  infusion  is  drunk  without  admixture  of  any  kind. 

The  women  of  China,  as  in  all  other  countries  not  bless- 
ed with  Christianity,  occupy  a rank  in  society  far  inferior 
to  that  of  the  men.  Nevertheless,  their  place  on  the  social 
scale  is  higher,  their  influence  greater,  and  their  treatment 
better,  than  can  be  predicated  of  the  sex  in  any  other 
Asiatic  nation.  Of  school  education  the  mass  receive 
none,  though  there  are  occasionally  shining  exceptions ; 
but  Gutzlaff  ascribes  to  them  the  possession  of  a large 
share  of  common  sense,  and  says  that  they  make  devoted 
wives  and  tender  mothers. 

The  generality  of  Chinese  ladies  cannot  boast  of  great 
beauty.  They  make  a free  use  of  rouge,  and  this  article 
is  always  among  the  presents  to  a bride  on  the  occasion  of 
her  nuptials.  In  what  circumstances  the  “ golden  lilies,” 
the  highest  of  personal  attractions,  originated,  is  not 
known.  The  distortion  is  produced  by  turning  the  toes 
under  the  soles  of  the  feet  at  birth,  and  confining  them  in 
that  position  by  tight  bandages,  till  their  growth  is  effect- 
ually checked.  The  bandaging  is  continued  for  several 
years,  during  which  the  poor  child  suffers  the  most  excru- 
ciating tortures.  This  is,  no  doubt,  an  absurd,  cruel,  and 
wicked  practice ; but  those  who  dwell  in  glass  houses 
should  not  throw  stones.  It  is  not  a whit  worse,  nay,  we 
maintain  that  it  is  less  irrational  and  injurious,  than  the 
abomination  of  tight  lacing.  No  vital  part  is  here  attack- 


16 


ed,  no  vital  functions  disordered ; and  on  the  score  of  taste, 
if  the  errors  of  nature  are  to  be  rectified,  and  her  graceful 
lines  and  proportions  improved,  we  see  not  why  the  pro- 
cess of  amendment  may  not  be  as  reasonably  applied  to 
the  feet  as  to  the  waist.  Almost  every  family  in  China, 
however  poor,  has  one  daughter  with  the  small  feet. 

Head-dresses  of  natural  and  artificial  flowers  are  always 
worn.  No  woman,  says  Sir  George  Staunton,  is  so  poor 
as  to  neglect,  or  so  aged  as  to  give  up,  adorning  herself 
in  this  manner.  The  culture  of  flowers  for  this  purpose 
is  a regular  occupation  throughout  the  country. 

Among  the  accomplishments  of  the  Chinese  ladies, 
music,  painting  on  silk,  and  embroidery,  hold  the  chief 
places.  The  musical  instruments  are  various  in  kind  and 
material,  and  a supply  of  them  is  held  to  be  an  indispensa- 
ble part  of  the  furniture  of  a lady’s  boudoir.  Painting  on 
silk  is  a very  common  recreation ; and  embroidery  is  an 
almost  universal  accomplishment. 


CASE  V. 

No.  1 1 . Tragedian  in  splendid  costume . 

Two  juvenile  Actors , to  perform  the  part  of female 
characters. 

Umbrella  used  on  state  occasions. 

Magnificent  specimen  of  embroidered  Tapestry. 
Numerous  specimens  of  theatrical  Caps  on  wall. 

In  the  fifth  case  we  have  a specimen  of  Chinese  theatri- 
cals. There  are  three  figures  of  actors, — an  adult  and  two 
children, — a gorgeous  state  umbrella,  a number  of  theatri- 
cal caps,  and  a sample  of  embroidered  tapestry.  The 


17 


dresses  and  adornments  of  the  actors  are  of  rich  materials, 
elegantly  wrought. 

Theatrical  exhibitions  are  favourite  amusements  of  the 
Chinese,  and,  as  among  the  ancient  Greeks  and  Romans, 
they  are  sometimes  connected  with  religion.  The  estima- 
tion in  which  they  are  held  may  be  inferred  from  a single 
‘Tact.  The  money  expended  upon  them  in  one  year  at 
Macao,  a place  where  there  are  but  few  wealthy  Chinese, 
amounted  to  nearly  seven  thousand  dollars. 

It  is  remarkable  that  there  are  no  regular  theatres.  The 
actors  are  literally  vagabonds,  strolling  about  from  city  to 
city,  and  from  province  to  province.  In  Canton,  for  ex- 
ample, the  inhabitants  of  a certain  quarter  club  together 
and  make  up  a purse,  with  which  a company  is  engaged 
A temporary  theatre  is  erected,  and  the  whole  neighbour- 
hood is  at  liberty  to  attend.  When  the  quid  pro  quo  has 
been  rendered  by  the  actors,  they  move  off  to  another 
quarter,  and  the  same  thing  is  repeated.  It  is  customary 
to  employ  playactors  at  private  entertainments,  which  are 
never  considered  complete  without  a theatrical  exhibition. 
Upon  such  occasions  a list  of  plays  is  handed  to  the  most 
distinguished  guest,  who  selects  whichever  best  jumps 
with  his  fancy.  The  principal  inns  and  all  large  private 
establishments  have  a room  expressly  for  this  purpose. 
Females  are  not  allowed  to  appear  on  the  stage. 

Some  notice  of  the  other  national  amusements  will  not 
be  out  of  place  here.  The  Chinese  have  fewer  holidays 
than  perhaps  any  other  people ; yet  they  have  a number 
of  festivals,  which  are  enjoyed  with  a keen  relish.  The 
chief  of  these  is  the  Feast  of  the  New  Year,  a species  of 
Saturnalia,  when  the  whole  empire  abandons  itself  to  a 
frenzy  of  merriment.  All  labour  is  intermitted  for  seve- 
ral days ; public  business  is  suspended ; servants  are 
dressed  out  in  all  the  finery  at  their  command ; visits  of 
ceremony  and  presents  are  interchanged  among  friends; 
the  rites  of  religion  are  conducted  with  unusual  pomp  ; 
3 b 2 


18 

and,  in  short,  gayety  and  pleasure  are  the  reigning  divi- 
nities. 

The  Feast  of  Lanterns,  which  occurs  soon  after  this,  is 
a general  illumination  throughout  the  empire.  The  object 
seems  to  be  to  afford  an  occasion  for  the  display  of  inge- 
nuity and  taste  in  the  construction  and  mechanism  of  an 
infinite  variety  of  lanterns.  It  is  computed  that,  upon  this 
occasion,  there  are  not  less  than  200,000,000  blazing  at 
the  same  time  in  different  parts  of  the  empire. 

There  are  several  agricultural  festivals ; an  annual  trial 
of  skill  in  boat-racing ; a festival  in  honour  of  the  dead ; 
and  a sort  of  general  thanksgiving,  a holiday  highly  en- 
joyed, which  takes  place  in  September,  at  the  commence- 
ment of  the  business  year. 

Gaming  prevails  among  the  lower  orders,  but  so  much 
infamy  attaches  to  gamblers,  that  government  officers  and 
the  more  respectable  of  the  people  are  free  from  this  taint. 
Dominoes,  cards,  dice,  and  chess,  are  favourite  games. 
The  venders  of  fruit  often  gamble  with  purchasers  in  the 
following  manner : — A boy  wishes  a half  dozen  oranges. 
The  fruit  and  half  the  price  demanded  for  it  are  laid  down 
together.  Recourse  is  then  had  to  the  dice-box.  If  the 
urchin  throws  the  highest  number,  he  pockets  his  money 
again,  and  gets  the  fruit  for  nothing ; if  the  seller,  he  in 
like  manner  sweeps  the  stakes,  and  the  disappointed 
gamester  may  whistle  for  oranges,  or  try  his  fortune  else- 
where. Quails  are  trained  lor  fighting,  and  even  a species 
of  cricket,  two  of  which  are  placed  in  a bowl  together,  and 
irritated  till  they  tear  each  other  in  pieces.  Fire-works, 
and  the  tricks  of  jugglers,  tumblers,  rope-dancers,  &c.,  are 
greatly  relished. 

Of  out-door  games,  the  most  popular  is  kite-flying.  In 
this  the  Chinese  excel.  They  show  their  superiority  as 
well  in  the  curious  construction  of  their  kites,  as  in  the 
height  to  which  they  make  them  mount.  By  means  of 
round  holes,  supplied  with  vibrating  cords,  their  kites  are 


10 


made  to  produce  a loud  humming  noise,  like  that  of  a top. 
A game  at  shuttlecock,  in  which  the  feet  serve  as  battle- 
dores, is  also  a favourite  “ field  sport.”  In  Peking,  during 
the  winter,  skating,  and  other  amusements  on  the  ice,  in 
which  the  emperor  takes  a part,  are  among  the  national 
pastimes. 


CASE  VI. 

No.  12.  Priest  of  Fo>  or  Budha , in  full  canonicals. 

13.  Priest  of  the  Taou  sect , in  full  dress. 

14.  Gentleman  in  full  mourning  apparel. 

Servant  of  the  above , also  in  mourning  dress . 

Two  Women  with  a child , of  the  middle  class . 

The  two  sects  whose  ministers  are  here  represented,  are, 
properly  speaking,  the  only  religious  sects  in  China.  There 
is,  indeed,  a third — the  Confucian — but  its  doctrines  con- 
stitute a system  rather  of  philosophy  than  of  theology.  It 
has  no  priesthood  but  the  Emperor  and  his  civil  mandarins, 
no  temples,  and  no  regular  worship.  The  Taou,  or  Ra- 
tional religion,  is  indigenous  in  China.  Laoutzc,  the  founder 
of  the  sect,  has  been  called  the  Epicurus  of  China;  and,  in 
some  points,  there  would  seem  to  be  a resemblance  between 
the  doctrines  of  the  Chinese  sage  and  the  Grecian  philoso- 
pher. The  intelligible  part  of  his  system  consists  in  the 
inculcation  of  a contempt  of  riches,  fame,  pleasure,  and  all 
worldly  distinctions.  He  placed  the  chief  good  in  tran- 
quillity and  self-enjoyment.  Along  with  these  dogmas,  there 
is  mixed  up  much  that  is  mystical,  puerile,  and  silly.  The 
priests  of  the  Taou  sect  pretend  to  a knowledge  of  alchymy, 
practise  magic,  and  seem,  in  fact,  to  be  a set  of  mere  cheats 
and  jugglers. 


20 


Budhism,  or  the  worship  of  Fo,  was  imported  from  India 
about  the  middle  of  the  first  century  of  our  era.  With  the 
exception  of  Christianity  and  Mohammedanism,  this  reli- 
gion is  more  widely  disseminated  than  any  other.  It  pre- 
vails in  Thibet,  Siam,  Ava,  Tartary,  Japan,  Cochin-China, 
and,  to  a considerable  extent,  in  China  Proper.  The  lead- 
ing dogma  of  the  Budhists  is  the  metempsychosis ; and  the 
consummation  of  felicity  held  out  to  devotees,  is  annihila- 
tion. Their  five  principal  moral  rules  are: — 1.  Do  not 
kill  any  living  creature.  2.  Do  not  marry.  3.  Do  not  steal. 
4.  Speak  not  falsely.  5.  Drink  no  wine.  The  priests  of 
this  sect  live  in  a kind  of  monasteries,  connected  with  the 
temple  of  F o,  practise  celibacy,  fast,  pray  for  the  souls  of 
the  dead,  use  holy  water,  count  beads  in  saying  their  prayers, 
worship  relics,  and  pray  in  an  unknown  tongue.  The  Bud- 
hists, and  many  of  the  Chinese  not  belonging  to  this  sect, 
keep  what  may  be  called  an  account  current  with  heaven, 
upon  a system  of  double  entry.  Every  good  act  is  set 
down  at  so  much  on  the  credit  side ; every  bad  one,  at  an 
established  valuation,  on  the  debtor  side ; and  the  books 
are  balanced,  like  other  account  books,  annually.  This 
sect  does  not  flourish  under  the  present  dynasty.  Its  mi- 
nisters are  veritable  mendicants,  ignorant,  grovelling,  lazy, 
and  without  influence. 

The  only  religious  community  in  China  which  seems  en- 
titled to  any  portion  of  our  respect,  is  that  which  attaches 
itself  to  the  doctrines  of  Confucius ; and  this,  as  already 
hinted,  is  rather  a sect  in  philosophy  than  religion.  The 
doctrines  of  the  Confucians  are  embodied  in  nine  classical 
or  sacred  books,  called  “ The  Four  Books,”  and  “The 
Five  Canonical  Works.”  These  contain  a complete  body 
of  rules,  first,  for  the  government  of  one’s  self,  and  the 
regulation  of  social  intercourse ; secondly,  for  the  govern- 
ment of  a family,  and  the  education  of  a community ; and, 
thirdly,  for  the  government  of  an  empire,  and  the  manage- 
ment of  its  complex  machinery.  The  sententious  brevity 


21 


of  style  that  characterizes  these  celebrated  productions, 
renders  the  meaning  often  obscure,  and  has  induced  a mass 
of  commentaries,  of  formidable  bulk;  but  it  cannot  be 
doubted  that  they  contain  many  maxims  just  in  sentiment, 
wise  in  policy,  and  admirably  suited  to  the  genius  of  the 
people, — maxims  which  have  conferred  merited  immortality 
upon  the  memory  of  their  author,  and  done  more  for  the 
stability  of  the  empire  than  all  other  causes  combined. 
Confucius,  however,  avoided,  almost  entirely,  strictly  reli- 
gious subjects.  Dr.  Morrison  says  that  he  admitted  he 
did  not  understand  much  concerning  the  gods;  and  he 
adds,  that  his  most  celebrated  commentator,  Choo-footszc, 
affirmed  that  sufficient  knowledge  was  not  possessed  to  say 
positively  that  they  existed.  The  system  of  Confucius  is 
the  state  religion.  The  emperor  is  Pontifex  Maximus,  the 
mandarins  form  the  only  priesthood,  and  the  whole  body 
of  literati  are  its  adherents. 

The  figure  in  this  case,  representing  a mourner,  is 
habited  in  coarse  sackcloth,  the  universal  mourning  apparel 
in  China.  The  shoes  are  white ; the  hair  and  beard  are 
permitted  to  grow  unshaven ; and  an  odd  species  of  head- 
gear  surmounts  the  cranium.  The  full  period  of  mourning 
for  a parent  is  three  years,  but  this  is  commonly  reduced 
in  practice  to  twenty-seven  months;  a shorter  period  is 
allotted  for  other  relations.  Three  years  must  elapse  after 
the  death  of  a parent  before  a child  is  permitted  to  marry. 

On  the  death  of  an  emperor,  his  hundreds  of  millions  of 
subjects  mourn  for  him  exactly  as  children  do  for  a parent. 
All  officers  of  government  take  the  ball  and  crimson  silk 
from  their  caps. 


22 


CASE  VII. 

No.  16.  Itinerant  Barber , plying  his  craft , with  his  whole 
apparatus. 

17.  Itinerant  Shoemaker , at  his  work , with  work - 

bench , basket , foo/s, 

18.  Travelling  Blacksmith , with  anvil , furnace , bel- 

lows, 4-c. 

19.  Chinese  Boatwoman , carrying  a child  on  her 

back  in  the  usual  mode. 

20.  Another  Boatwoman , with  pipe , mother  of  the 

above. 

On  the  wall  several  specimens  of  bamboo  and  rush 
hats , worn  the  lower  class. 

This  case  offers  to  the  visiter’s  observation  some  odd 
specimens  of  Chinese  life.  We  have  in  it  an  itinerant 
barber,  shoemaker,  and  blacksmith,  and  two  boatwomen, 
one  of  whom  is  carrying  an  infant  on  her  back.  The 
barbers  in  China  are  a numerous  class.  Every  town  is 
thronged  with  them.  The  reason  is,  that,  as  the  head,  as 
well  as  the  face,  is  shaved : no  Chinaman  ever  shaves  him- 
self. The  barbers  are  all  ambulatory.  Each  carries  his 
shop  on  his  back,  and  performs  his  operations  tonsorial  in 
the  open  street.  The  usual  implements  are  a stool,  pro- 
vided with  a case  of  drawers,  and  a kind  of  tub,  with  a 
small  charcoal  furnace  and  a basin.  We  have  the  appa- 
ratus here  complete.  The  operation  is  usually  performed 
in  perfect  silence,  a fact  meriting  the  attention  of  our  own 
practitioners  in  this  line.  The  razor  is  a clumsy-looking 
affair,  but  is  said  to  shave  sufficiently  well.  It  is  sharpen- 
ed on  iron.  No  soap  is  used,  the  beard  being  softened 


23 


by  the  application  of  hot  water  alone.  The  compensation 
is  left  entirely  to  the  employer’s  generosity ; it  is  com- 
monly from  five  to  ten  cash. 

The  ambulatory  shoemaker,  with  his  rude  instruments, 
and  his  spectacles,  resembling  those  with  which  idle  boys 
in  school  are  sometimes  punished,  is  a study  for  a painter. 
He  carries  with  him  in  a basket  wherever  he  goes,  all  his 
implements,  together  with  his  whole  stock  in  trade.  A fan 
and  a pipe,  without  which,  it  would  almost  seem,  a China- 
man could  not  exist,  complete  his  equipment. 

The  visiter  will  notice  the  novel  manner  in  which  our 
shoemaker’s  spectacles  are  kept  in  their  place.  This  is 
effected  by  no  greater  expenditure  of  ingenuity  than  is 
involved  in  passing  a loop  fastened  to  the  ends  of  the  spec- 
tacles round  each  ear.  They  are  sometimes  retained  in 
their  position  by  silver  cords  slung  over  the  ears,  to  which 
small  weights  are  attached,  to  preserve  the  equilibrium. 
The  glasses,  or  rather  crystals,  (for  rock  crystal,  ground 
with  the  powder  of  corundum,  supplies  the  place  of  glass,) 
are  perfectly  circular  in  shape,  and  of  enormous  dimen- 
sions, which  gives  the  wearer  a very  sapient  appearance. 

By  the  side  of  the  honest  cobbler,  we  have  an  itinerant 
blacksmith, — par  nobile  fratrum.  He  also,  when  inclined 
to  try  his  fortune  in  a new  place,  stows  forge,  bellows, 
anvil,  tools,  &c.,  into  a basket,  which  he  slings  on  his 
shoulder,  and  thus  takes  up  his  line  of  march.  This  figure, 
with  the  implements  and  appliances  that  surround  it,  will 
attract  special  notice.  The  anvil,  instead  of  having  a flat 
surface,  is  slightly  rounded  on  the  top,  which  causes  the 
iron  to  extend  more  readily  under  the  hammer.  The  bel- 
lows is  a hollow  cylinder  with  a piston  so  contrived  that 
the  blast  produced  by  it  is  continuous.  The  Chinese  have 
the  art  of  repairing  cast  iron  vessels  when  injured,- — an 
art,  so  far  as  we  know,  not  possessed  by  any  other  nation. 

The  female  figures  in  this  case  represent  a large  class  in 
China,  viz.  the  boatwomen.  One  of  them  has  an  infant 


2 4 


on  her  back,  who  finds  a convenient  handle  to  hold  by  in 
her  long  plaited  cue.  She  carries  also  a painted  block  of 
wood,  which  it  is  usual  to  attach  to  the  waist  of  young 
children  who  live  in  the  boats,  to  prevent  them  from  sink- 
ing in  case  of  falling  overboard,  till  help  can  be  afforded. 

The  huge  bamboo  hats  suspended  on  the  wall  of  this 
case,  deserve  to  be  noticed.  They  are  a capital  article  for 
a hot  or  rainy  day,  but  would  not  be  so  convenient  in  a 
whirlwind.  The  bamboo  is  as  useful  to  the  Chinese  as 
the  reindeer  is  to  the  Laplander.  Of  this  gigantic  grass, 
or  reed,  there  are  numerous  varieties,  and  the  uses  to 
which  it  has  been  put  are  quite  as  various.  Hats,  baskets, 
shields,  umbrellas,  ornamental  furniture,  ropes,  paper, 
poles  for  scaffolding,  temporary  theatres,  &c.,  are  con- 
structed from  it.  The  young  shoots  are  used  for  food, 
being  boiled  or  stewed,  like  asparagus;  and  sweetmeats 
are  sometimes  made  of  them.  The  tubes  serve  as  pipe- 
stems,  and  for  every  purpose  wherein  strength,  combined 
with  lightness,  is  required,  they  are  admirably  suited,  being 
formed  upon  the  same  principle  as  the  bones  of  birds. 
Farmers  make  great  use  of  the  bamboo,  many  of  their 
implements  being  formed  of  it;  and  a silicious  concre- 
tion, found  in  the  joints,  is  an  item  in  the  Chinese  materia 
medica. 


25 


CASE  VIII. 

No.  21.  Chinese  Gentleman . 

22.  Beggar  ashing  alms. 

23.  Servant  preparing  breakfast. 

24.  Purchaser. 

25.  Do.  examining  a piece  of  black  silk. 

The  Proprietor  behind  the  counter  making  calcula -' 
tions  on  his  counting-board. 

Clerk  entering  goods. 

Circular  Table , with  breakfast  furniture. 

This  is  the  north-east  corner  of  the  saloon.  It  is  much 
larger  than  any  of  the  cases  hitherto  noticed,  and  has  been 
arranged  so  as  to  afford  an  exact  idea  of  a Chinese  retail 
establishment.  The  scene  which  it  offers  to  our  view,  is, 
to  our  taste,  more  life-like  than  any  thing  else  in  the  col- 
lection. Two  purchasers  have  been  placed  at  the  counter, 
one  of  whom  is  scrutinizing  a piece  of  silk  that  lies  before 
him.  The  owner,  behind  the  counter,  is  carelessly  leaning 
forward,  and  intent  on  casting  an  account  on  the  “ calcu- 
lating dish,”  while  his  clerk  is  busy  making  entries  in  the 
hook,  in  doing  which  he  shows  us  the  Chinese  mode  of 
holding  a pen,  or  rather  brush,  which  is  perpendicularly 
between  the  thumb  and  all  the  fingers.  A servant  is  pre- 
paring breakfast.  A circular,  eight-legged  table,  very 
similar  to  those  used  by  our  great-grandfathers,  is  spread 
in  the  centre  of  the  shop.  Among  its  furniture,  the  ivory 
chop-sticks  are  the  most  novel.  On  the  visiter’s  right 
hand  sits  a gentleman  with  a pipe,  apparently  a chance- 
comer,  “just  dropped  in”  about  meal  time;  on  the  left,  a 
blind  beggar  stands  beating  two  bamboo  sticks  against  each 

4 C 


26 


other,  an  operation  with  which  he  continues  to  annoy  all 
whom  he  visits,  till  he  is  relieved  by  some  trifling  gratuity, 
usually  a single  cash.  A gilt  image  of  Fo  is  inserted  in  the 
front  part  of  the  counter,  and  a small  covered  tub  filled 
with  tea,  with  a few  cups  near  by,  stands  on  the  counter, 
from  which  customers  are  always  invited  to  help  themselves. 

The  merchants  and  shopkeepers  of  Canton,  are  prompt, 
active,  obliging,  and  able.  They  can  do  an  immense  deal 
of  business  in  a short  time,  and  all  without  noise,  bustle, 
or  disorder.  Their  goods  are  arranged  in  the  most  per- 
fect manner,  and  nothing  is  ever  out  of  its  place.  These 
traits  assimilate  them  to  the  more  enterprising  of  the 
western  nations,  and  place  them  in  prominent  contrast  with 
the  rest  of  the  Asiatics.  It  is  confidently  asserted,  by  those 
who  have  had  the  best  opportunities  of  judging,  that,  as 
business  men,  they  are  in  advance  of  Spanish,  Italian,  and 
Portuguese  merchants. 

There  is  a variety  of  amusing  inscriptions  on  the  scrolls 
hung  up  in  the  interior  of  some  of  the  shops,  which  serve 
at  the  same  time  to  mark  the  thrifty  habits  of  the  traders. 
A few  specimens  are  subjoined : — “ Gossiping  and  long 
sitting  injure  business.”  “ Former  customers  have  in- 
spired caution — no  credit  given.”  “ A small  stream  always 
flowing.”  “Goods  genuine,  prices  true.”  “Trade  cir- 
cling like  a wheel,”  &c. 

The  sight  of  the  breakfast  table  induces  naturally  a few 
observations  on  the  articles  of  food  and  drink  used  by  this 
people.  The  wealthier  Chinese  are  much  addicted  to  gas- 
tronomic pleasures,  and  are  as  delicate  in  their  tastes  as 
any  other  epicures ; but  pinching  poverty  makes  the  mass 
as  little  fastidious  as  can  well  be  conceived.  They  make 
little  use  of  beef  or  mutton,  owing  to  the  scarcity  of  pas- 
turage. Of  animal  food,  the  most  universal  is  pork.  Their 
maxim  is,  “ The  scholar  forsakes  not  his  books,  nor  the 
poor  man  his  pig.”  Immense  quantities  of  fish  are  con- 
sumed. Ducks  are  reared  in  large  numbers,  and  wild 


21 


fowl,  of  various  species,  are  abundant.  The  flesh  of  dogs, 
cats,  rats,  and  mice,  enters  into  the  bill  of  fare  of  the 
Chinese  poor.  The  larvae  of  the  sphinx-moth  and  a grub 
bred  in  the  sugar-cane  are  much  relished,  as  also  sharks’ 
fins,  the  flesh  of  wild  horses,  the  sea-slug,  and  a soup  made 
of  a species  of  birds’-nests.  At  an  imperial  feast  given  to 
the  last  British  embassy,  a soup  concocted  of  mares’  milk 
and  blood  was  among  the  dishes  ! 

Of  vegetables  they  have  a large  variety,  not  needful  to 
mention.  Rice  is  the  most  esteemed  and  the  most 
abundant.  This  is  the  chief  thing  for  which  they  wish  and 
work.  Certain  sailors  once  asked  Gutzlaff,  whether  the 
western  barbarians  used  rice,  and,  as  he  was  rather  slow 
in  replying,  they  exclaimed,  “ O,  the  sterile  regions  of  bar- 
barians, which  produce  not  the  necessaries  of  life  : strange 
that  the  inhabitants  have  not  long  ago  died  of  hunger  !” 

The  Chinese  are  not  at  all  addicted  to  water-drinking. 
They  distil  from  rice  certain  liquors  resembling  our  beer, 
wines,  and  whisky.  The  grape,  though  abundant,  is  not 
used  for  any  such  purpose.  The  universal  national  beverage 
is  tea.  This  is  drunk  in  unstinted  quantities  by  all  classes 
of  the  people,  from  the  self-styled  44  Son  of  Heaven,”  to  the 
occupant  of  the  meanest  hovel  or  sanpan.  So  enormous  is 
the  consumption  of  tea  by  the  natives,  that  McCartney  is 
of  opinion  that,  if  the  whole  foreign  demand  should,  by 
some  accident,  suddenly  cease,  the  price  of  the  article  would 
not  be  materially  affected.  Many  of  the  wealthier  natives 
are  exceedingly  fastidious  in  their  taste,  which  they  gratify 
by  the  use  of  teas  obtained  at  prices  that  would  startle  us 
by  their  enormity.  It  is,  however,  only  the  very  rich  and 
the  very  luxurious  who  indulge  habitually  in  such  extra- 
vagance. 


28 


CASE  IX. 

Adjoining  the  mercantile  establishment  is  a passage, 
five  feet  broad, — about  the  average  width  of  a Canton 
street,  which  it  is  intended  to  represent.  It  is  nearly  filled 
by  a sedan,  in  which  the  owner  is  comfortably  seated, 
while  he  is  borne  gently  along  by  a couple  of  coolies.  A 
body  servant  is  in  attendance,  who  walks  by  the  side  of  the 
lordly  chair.  The  interior  is  just  large  enough  for  the 
convenient  reception  of  a single  occupant.  Instead  of 
pannels,  the  sides  are  covered  with  a woollen  cloth  for 
lightness,  and  there  is  an  additional  covering  of  oil-cloth, 
to  be  used  in  case  of  rain.  Two  bearers  place  the  light, 
elastic  pole  upon  their  shoulders,  and  move,  sometimes  at 
considerable  speed,  with  measured  tread,  and  a scarcely 
perceptible  motion.  The  sedan  looks  like  the  very  home 
of  comfort  and  repose.  The  illustrious  Falstaff  never  took 
“mine  ease  in  mine  inn”  more  luxuriously,  than  the  rich 
Chinaman  in  his  vaunted  sedan.  This  vehicle  is  much 
used  by  the  wealthy,  and  affords  almost  the  only  mode  of 
land-travelling  known,  the  horse  being  rarely,  though 
sometimes,  employed.  Private  gentlemen  are  allowed  only 
two  bearers ; the  herd  of  civil  officers,  four ; viceroys, 
eight : while  the  emperor’s  dignity  requires  sixteen. 

The  sedan  has  often  been  a bone  of  contention  between 
the  foreign  merchants  and  the  native  authorities.  The 
former  have,  again  and  again,  demanded  earnestly  the  pri- 
vilege of  using  it ; the  latter  have  as  vigorously  resisted 
the  demand,  and  hitherto  with  success. 


CASE  X. 


This  is  a large  apartment,  forming  the  eastern  termina 
tion  of  the  saloon,  from  which  it  is  separated  by  what  may 
be  called  a species  of  carved  net-work.  The  carving  pene- 
trates entirely  through  the  wood,  and  represents  figures 
of  animals,  birds,  flowers,  fruits,  &c.  The  colours  of  this 
open  work  are  as  gay,  rich,  and  even  gorgeous,  as  gilding 
and  paint  can  make  them ; yet  so  skilfully  are  they  disposed, 
so  well  do  they  blend  and  harmonize,  that  their  effect  is 
altogether  agreeable.  The  room  thus  enclosed  is  a perfect 
fac-simile  of  an  apartment  in  a wealthy  Chinaman’s  palace. 
The  visiter  will  be  not  less  struck  by  the  quantity  than  by 
the  kind  and  disposition  of  its  furniture  and  decorations. 
There  is  a book-case  in  one  corner,  a long  high  table  for 
the  reception  of  ornaments  in  the  back  part  of  the  room, 
upon  which  are  placed  two  exceedingly  beautiful  paintings 
on  glass  enclosed  in  ornamental  frames  or  stands  of  hard 
wood,  highly  polished.  Between  the  latter  is  a porcelain 
vase  containing  a large  fan  of  peacock’s  feathers — there  is 
also  a large  square  carved  table  with  marble  top  at  each 
end  of  this,  with  another  of  smaller  dimensions  in  front  of 
it,  two  tea-stands,  two  rows  of  chairs,  facing  each  other  on 
opposite  sides  of  the  apartment,  with  a footstool  for  every 
chair,  besides  flower-pots,  spittoons,  porcelain  stools, 
lamps,  &c.  &c.  The  walls  are  hung  with  a variety  of 
decorations,  chiefly  long  silken  scrolls,  with  maxims,  as 
before  described ; and  the  tables  are  covered  with  charac- 
teristic ornamental  articles. 

There  are  six  figures  in  the  pavilion,  intended  to  repre- 
sent the  mode  of  paying  and  receiving  visits.  Tea  and 
pipes  are  always  served  on  these  occasions,  and  frequently 
sweetmeats  or  dried  fruits.  The  common  mode  of  saluta- 

c 2 


30 


tion  is  to  join  the  closed  hands,  and  lift  them  twice  or 
thrice  towards  the  head,  saying,  Haou — tsing,  tsing  ; that 
is,  “ Are  you  well  ?— Hail,  hail !” 


CASE  XI. 

This  case  contains  two  beautiful  specimens  of  screen- 
work  used  in  ornamenting  the  walls  of  summer-houses,  &c. 

Also,  specimens  of  figured  tiles,  of  clay,  with  which 
wealthy  gentlemen  are  accustomed  to  pave  the  court-yards 
of  their  houses. 


CASE  XII. 

A buffalo  attached,  to  a plough , with  a husbandman  guid- 
ing it.  This  buffalo  was  actually  employed  in  plough- 
ing near  Whampoa , called  by  the  Chinese , “ Shuey- 
new,”  “ water  ox.” 

A husbandman  at  work  with  his  mattock , dressed  in  a ; 
rush  coat , such  as  are  worn  in  rainy  weather. 

A cooley  bearing  two  chests  of  tea.  These  men  carry  from 
200  to  300  lbs.  burden , and  trot  along  with  it  a,t  the  rate 
of  four  or  five  miles  an  hour. 

A splendid  Chinese  peacock. 

Specimens  of  ploughs,  harrows , axes , hoes , rakes , forks , 
shovels , spades , flails , mattocks , $c.  $c.  These  imple- 
ments are  for  the  most  part  simple  and  rude.  They 
are  made  chiefly  of  wood , and  merely  shod  with  iron. 
On  the  7vall  are  also  displayed  two  fishing  nets , made 
of  a peculiar  kind  of  hemp , also  fish  scoops. 

The  most  cursory  account  of  the  Celestial  Empire, 

should  include  some  notice  of  its  agriculture.  Of  all 


31 


classes  who  labour  with  their  hands,  the  husbandman  is 
there  the  most  honoured,  being  accounted  second  only  to 
the  literati  of  the  realm.  Nothing  appears  so  strongly  to 
have  roused  the  wonder  of  the  early  missionaries  to  China, 
as  the  agricultural  skill  of  the  natives;  and  in  nothing, 
perhaps,  did  they  so  much  indulge  in  exaggeration,  as  in 
their  accounts  of  it.  But  whatever  abatements  truth  may 
require  to  be  made  from  their  glowing  descriptions,  there 
can  hardly  be  a doubt  that  the  Chinese  manage  to  get  more 
out  of  an  acre  of  ground  than  any  other  nation,  the  Eng- 
lish alone  excepted. 

It  is  stated  on  the  authority  of  Amiot,  that  the  culti 
vated  lands  of  the  country  amount  to  about  596,172,500 
English  acres.  This  immense  territory  is  divided  into 
patches  of  a few  acres  each,  generally  owned  by  the  occu- 
pants. A rigid  economy  of  soil  is  practised.  With  the 
exception  of  the  royal  gardens  at  Peking,  no  land  in  the 
empire  is  taken  up  with  parks  and  pleasure-grounds.  Of 
meadows  there  are  none ; of  pasture-grounds,  scarcely 
any.  The  few  ruminating  animals,  scattered  thinly  over 
the  country,  gather  a scanty  subsistence,  as  best  they  may, 
on  mountains  and  marshes,  unfit  for  cultivation.  As  wheel 
carriages  are  not  used,  the  highways  are  but  a few  feet 
wide,  and  nothing  is  thrown  away  there.  No  fences  are 
allowed  to  encumber  the  soil,  no  hedges  to  prey  upon  its 
strength.  Sepulchres  are  always  on  hills  too  barren  for 
cultivation.  A narrow  foot-path  separates  neighbouring 
farms,  and  porcelain  landmarks  define  more  permanently 
their  respective  limits.  Even  the  sterile  mountains  are 
terraced  into  fertility,  and  glow  with  ripening  harvests, 
intermingled  with  the  brilliant  foliage  of  clustering  fruit 
trees. 

But  their  economizing  of  the  soil  is  not  more  rigid,  than 
the  methods  by  which  they  seek  to  preserve  or  to  renovate 
its  strength  are  new  and  various.  Necessity  may  here 
truly  he  said  to  have  been  the  mother  of  invention.  Every 


32 


conceivable  substance,  possessing  any  enriching  qualities, 
has  been  converted  into  a manure.  Not  only  lime,  ashes, 
dung  of  animals,  &c.,  but  hair  of  all  kinds,  barber’s  shav- 
ings, horns  and  bones  reduced  to  powder,  soot,  night  soil, 
the  cakes  that  remain  after  the  expression  of  their  vegetable 
oil,  the  plaster  of  old  kitchens,  and  all  kinds  of  vegetable 
and  animal  refuse,  are  among  the  substances  used  as 
manures.  These  are  all  carefully  collected  and  husbanded, 
being  frequently  kept  in  cisterns  constructed  for  the  pur- 
pose, or  in  earthen  tubs  sunk  in  the  ground,  where,  covered 
with  straw  to  prevent  evaporation,  and  diluted  with  a suffi- 
cient quantity  of  water,  they  are  left  to  undergo  the  putre- 
factive fermentation,  after  which  they  are  applied  to  the 
land. 

The  Chinese  understand  well  the  enriching  effect  of  fre- 
quent ploughings.*  Horses  or  oxen  are  rarely  attached 
to  their  ploughs ; more  commonly  a small  species  of  buf- 
falo; and  oftener  still,  men  and  women.  Frequently  the 
plough  is  not  used  at  all,  the  spade  and  hoe  supplying  its 
place.  In  the  irrigation  of  their  lands,  they  display  great 
ingenuity  and  diligence.  Their  numerous  rivers  are  here 
of  essential  utility. 

Rice  is  their  staple  grain.  They  always  get  two  crops 
a year  out  of  their  land ; sometimes  three.  When  a third 
is  not  raised,  the  soil  is,  nevertheless,  again  taxed  in  the 
production  of  pulse,  greens,  potatoes,  and  other  vegetables. 
Millet  is  extensively  cultivated.  Women  labour  on  the 
farms  equally  with  the  men.  A stout  and  healthy  wife  is 
therefore  a great  desideratum  with  a Chinaman,  and  the 
“ working  wives  of  Kiang-see”  are  said  to  be  held  in  high 
estimation  throughout  the  provinces. 

Notwithstanding  the  immensity  of  labour  bestowed  on 
the  cultivation  of  the  earth — and  the  Chinese  agriculturists 

* Sir  Joseph  Banks  expresses  his  surprise  that  this  principle  is  not  turned 
to  greater  account  by  the  Europeans.  Repeated  ploughings  are  almost  the 
only  fertilizing  process  known  among  the  Hindoos. 


33 


are  like  ants  or  bees  in  respect  to  both  their  number  and 
industry — it  seems  incapable  of  sustaining  the  swarming 
population  of  the  empire.  Hence  every  harbour,  lake, 
river,  and  stream  of  whatever  description,  are  literally 
thronged  and  darkened  by  fishermen,  who  resort  to  the 
most  ingenious  and  novel  methods  of  alluring  and  entrap- 
ping their  victims.  Nor  do  they  forget  or  omit  to  take 
care  that  the  waters  be  not,  as  it  were,  depopulated  by 
these  ceaseless  ravages.  They  take  the  utmost  pains  to 
collect  the  spawns  of  fishes,  and  to  deposit  them  in  con- 
venient places  for  breeding. 

“ Such  is  their  toil,  and  such  their  busy  pains, 

As  exercise  the  bees  in  flowery  plains, 

When  winter  past,  and  summer  scarce  begun, 

Invites  them  forth  to  labour  in  the  sun.” 


Here  terminate  the  cases  that  contain  representations 
of  men  and  women.  The  figures  are  modelled  out  of  a pe- 
culiar species  of  clay,  admirably  adapted  for  the  purpose. 
They  are  highly  creditable  to  the  taste  and  ingenuity  of 
the  Chinese,  who,  though  not  good  sculptors,  are  excellent 
modellers,  and  they  afford  specimens  of  a style  of  art  alto- 
gether novel  to  an  American.  The  attentive  observer  will 
have  noticed  a remarkable  sameness  of  feature  and  ex- 
pression running  through  the  whole  collection,  though  all 
are  accurate  likenesses  of  originals,  most  of  whom  are  now 
living.  High  cheek  bones,  flat  noses,  small  black  eyes,  a 
yellowish  complexion,  and  a rather  dull,  heavy  expression 
of  countenance,  are  the  general  characteristics.  Chinese 
physical  nature  is  said  to  be  cast,  as  it  were,  in  the  same 
mould,  throughout  the  whole  empire,  notwithstanding  its 
various  provinces  differ  so  widely  in  soil  and  climate.  And 
this  characteristic  sameness  extends  to  the  mind  as  well  as 
body.  The  phenomenon  has  been  ingeniously  explained 
by  the  author  of  “ Egypt  and  Mohammed  Ali,”  who  traces 
it  to  despotism  as  its  primary  cause ; for  he  reasons,  the 
5 


34 


multitude,  all  reduced  to  the  same  level,  urged  by  the  same 
wants,  engaged  in  the  same  pursuits,  actuated  by  the  same 
passions,  through  a long  succession  of  ages,  necessarily 
assimilate,  both  mentally  and  physically. 

Corpulency,  and  small,  delicate,  taper  fingers,  are  also 
much  esteemed  as  indications  of  gentility.  There  is  a 
goodly  rotundity  of  person  in  most  of  the  figures  in  this 
collection,  but  the  attentive  observer  will  be  particularly 
struck  with  the  characteristic  smallness  and  delicacy  of  the 
hands.  The  carefully  cultivated  and  well  braided  pigtails, 
so  long  in  some  instances  as  almost  to  trail  upon  the 
ground,  and  affording  admirable  handles  to  an  antagonist 
in  a passion,  form  a curious  subject  of  observation.  The 
history  of  this  singular  appendage  affords  a remarkable 
illustration  of  those  revolutions  which  sometimes  occur  in 
national  taste  and  manners.  Previous  to  the  conquest  of 
their  country  by  the  Tartars,  the  Chinese  permitted  the 
hair  to  grow  over  the  whole  head.  Shunche,  the  first  of 
the  Tartar  emperors,  issued  an  imperial  edict  requiring 
the  conquered  people  to  conform  in  this  particular  to  the 
custom  of  their  victors.  So  stoutly  was  this  decree  at 
first  resisted,  that  many  of  the  nobles  preferred  death  to 
obedience,  and  actually  perished  by  the  command  of  the 
conqueror.  At  the  present  day,  however,  the  loss  of  this 
very  badge  of  servitude  is  considered  one  of  the  greatest 
of  calamities,  scarcely  less  dreaded  than  death  itself.  To 
be  deprived  of  it  is  one  of  the  most  opprobrious  brands 
put  upon  convicts  and  criminals.  Those  to  whom  nature 
has  been  sparing  in  respect  to  the  natural  covering  of  the 
head,  supply  her  deficiencies  by  the  artificial  introduction 
and  intermingling  of  other  hair  with  their  own,  thus  seek- 
ing to  “ increase  it  to  a reputably  fashionable  size.” 

Chinese  put  faith  in  the  external  developments  of  the 
skull,  and  are,  therefore,  to  a certain  extent,  phrenologists. 
They  look  for  the  principal  characteristics  of  a man  in 
his  forehead,  and  of  a woman  on  tne  back  of  the  cranium. 


35 


CASE  XIII. 

No.  127.  Five  specimens  of  carved  bamboo  roots. 

This  is  a kind  of  ornament  highly  esteemed  by  the  na- 
tives. The  more  distorted  the  roots,  and  the  more  hideous 
the  figures  wrought  upon  them,  the  greater  is  the  pleasure 
they  afford. 

“ Gorgons,  hydras,  and  chimeras  dire,” 

the  wildest  forms  that  nature  has  revealed  or  imagination 
invented,  please  best  the  superstitious  fancy  of  this  marvel- 
loving  people. 

128.  Elastic  pillow  made  of  bamboo,  and  covered  with 

glazed  leather. 

129.  Pewter  vessel  for  holding  the  su-hing  or  hot  wine  at 

dinners. 

130.  Candlestick  of  the  same  material. 

131.  A vessel  to  contain  the  ashes  of  jhos-sticks  (composed 

of  powdered  sandal  wood)  burnt  before  idols. 

132.  Curious  root  of  the  bamboo,  as  127. 

133.  A grotesque  figure  carved  from  a section  of  the 

bamboo. 

134.  Two  pillows  of  leather  (pig’s  skin)  embossed. 

135.  Antique  incense  vessel  of  china  ware. 

136.  Antique  porcelain  figures. 

137.  Curious  root  resembling  a bird  perched  on  a tree. 

138.  Metallic  incense  vessel. 

139.  Carved  section  of  bamboo,  used  as  pen-holder. 

140.  Bronzed  copper  hand-furnace,  for  keeping  the  fingers* 

warm  when  walking  in  the  streets  in  cold  weather, 
no  gloves  being  ever  worn. 


36 


141.  .Ancient  porcelain  incense  vessel. 

142.  Scales  and  weights,  very  accurate. 

143.  Rack  for  jhos-stick,  which  is  generally  burned  in 

every  house  day  and  night,  the  drawers  are  to  hold 
tobacco  and  tinder  for  pipes. 

144.  Compass  and  sun-dial  combined. 

145.  Gentleman’s  dressing  case. 

147.  China  vessel,  with  stand  and  cover,  for  incense. 

148.  Lamp  in  general  use  of  white  copper,  commonly  at- 

tached to  the  wall. 

149.  Ancient,  as  147. 

150.  Hollow  watchman’s  rattle,  cut  from  a solid  piece  of 

wood,  and  struck  by  a piece  of  bamboo,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  giving  an  alarm,  and  capable  of  producing  a 
loud  noise. 

151.  Curious  root  representing  a beggar  or  lazzarone. 

152.  Sung-pan,  or  counting  board. 

153.  Lamp,  as  148. 

154.  Cuspador  or  spittoon  of  white  copper. 

155.  Ancient  metallic  mirror,  used  in  China  prior  to  the 

introduction  of  glass.  The  back  is  here  presented 
to  the  visiter,  being  ornamented  with  numerous 
hieroglyphical  figures.  The  opposite  side  is  highly 
polished. 

156.  A gentleman’s  dressing-case  and  glass. 

157.  Ancient  mirror,  as  155,  of  large  size. 

158.  Cuspador,  as  154. 

159  and  162.  Specimens  of  common  ware,  garden  seats,  &c. 

160  and  161.  Flower  pots  of  a peculiar  ware,  resembling 

cast  iron. 

163.  Curiously  shaped  bamboo  root. 

164.  Specimen  of  carving  from  the  root  of  the  bamboo  tree. 

165.  Porcelain  pen-holder. 

166.  Curious  root — beautiful  and  rare  specimen. 

167.  Carving  from  the  root  of  the  bamboo,  as  164. 

168.  Specimen  of  sculpture  in  marble,  with  ebony  stand. 


37 


169.  Five  marble  idols. 

170.  Three  idols  of  Budha  or  Fo. 

171.  As  167. 

172.  Image  of  a beggar  in  clay. 

178.  Antique  enamelled  vessel  for  holding  the  su-hing,  or 
hot  wine,  at  feasts,  of  which  the  Chinese  are  re- 
markably fond. 

174.  Ancient  porcelain  incense  vessel,  with  wooden  stand 

and  top. 

175.  Enamelled  vase  for  holding  flowers. 

176.  Elaborate  piece  of  carving  from  the  root  of  the  bamboo. 

177.  China  incense  vessel,  in  imitation  of  bronze. 

178.  Antique  bronze  tripod,  with  a monkey,  in  cornelian, 

for  handle. 

179.  A root  having  the  form  of  a dog’s  head,  and  the  feet 

and  tail  of  a bird. 

180  and  182.  Specimens  of  painted  marble  in  stands,  placed 
on  tables,  as  ornaments. 

181.  Antique  china  incense  vessel. 

183.  Small  clay  model  of  Lob  creek  pagoda,  on  the  Canton 

river. 

184.  Porcelain  garden  railing. 

185.  Carved  bamboo  root  of  curious  device. 

186  and  188.  Two  figures  in  papier  mache,  representing 
priests. 

187.  A distorted  root  of  the  bamboo,  resembling  a man, 
&c.  These  curious  specimens  are  highly  valued  in 
China,  and  aflord  a good  example  of  the  peculiar 
national  tastes. 

189.  Image  in  clay. 

199.  Bronzed  clay  figures. 

200.  Porcelain  tripod. 

201.  Two  specimens  of  china  ware,  on  stands,  resembling 

Wedgwood. 

202.  Three  ancient  idols,  in  white  marble. 

208.  Two  grotesque  lions,  in  porcelain. 

D 


38 


204.  Root  in  form  of  a bird. 

205.  Singular  specimen  of  sculpture,  in  coloured  marble. 
207 — 209.  Three  porcelain  figures. 

210.  Coloured  marble  Budha. 

211.  China  plate  and  stand. 

212.  Richly  veined  marble  in  stand. 

213.  Bronzed  incense  vessel  and  stand,  used  in  temples. 

214.  Splendid  cameo,  presented  to  Mr.  Dunn  by  Houqua, 

the  Hong  merchant.  This  cameo  is  of  extraordi- 
nary size.  It  represents  an  extended  landscape, 
including  earth  and  sky,  and  embracing  various 
rural  scenes  and  objects. 

215.  Jhos-bell  and  stand,  used  in  temples,  and  accompa- 

nies 213, 

216.  Metallic  mirror,  as  before. 

217  and  220.  Flower-pots  of  common  ware. 

218  and  219.  As  160  and  161. 


CASE  XIV. 

221.  Leather  case  (pig’s  skin)  for  mandarin’s  cap. 

222.  Lacquered  box  used  for  carrying  fruit,  &c.  from 

market.  They  are  hung  in  a red  net,  composed 
of  the  fibres  of  a thistle,  and  carried  suspended 
from  a bamboo  thrown  across  the  shoulder. 

223.  Common  pillow  of  ratten. 

224.  Lacquered  case,  with  several  compartments. 

225 — 229.  Boxes  for  various  uses. 

230.  Box  for  holding  writing  pencils.  The  panels  are 

of  white  marble,  bearing  moral  maxims. 

231.  Three  lacquered  boxes  for  travelling  purposes. 

232.  Lady’s  dressing-case,  containing  rouge,  dice,  sung- 

pan,  snuff,  writing  materials,  looking-glass,  &c.  &c. 


39 


233.  Paint  box  of  lacquered  ware,  with  pillow  of  em- 

bossed leather  on  top. 

2 34.  Mariner’s  compass. 

235.  Box,  richly  lacquered. 

236.  Lacquered  wash-bowl. 

237.  Sweet-meat  box. 

238.  Lady’s  box  of  colours. 

239  and  241.  Curious  sun-dial  and  compass, 

240.  As  237. 

242.  Model  of  a Chinese  coffin.  The  slabs  of  wood  are 

sometimes  of  enormous  pieces,  being,  frequently, 
of  some  domestic  or  foreign  odoriferous  wood, 
&c.  In  these  huge  coffins  the  dead  are  frequently 
kept  many  years  above  ground,  from  superstitious 
motives,  such  as  the  selection  of  a fortunate  spot 
for  burial,  a particular  season,  &c.  Cedar  is  the 
usual  material ; the  thickness  of  the  slabs  accord- 
ing with  the  means  of  the  purchaser. 

243.  Small  tablets  of  marble  painted,  &c. 

244.  Elegantly  lacquered  box  to  contain  paper,  &c. 

245.  Cameo  in  stand,  &c. 

246.  Lacquered  box. 

247.  Lacquered  writing  desk,  inlaid  with  mother-o’-pearl. 

248.  Ornament  of  common  ware  to  adorn  the  roof  of 

dwellings,  temples,  &c. 

249.  A Chinese  merchant’s  sign — suspended  at  the  door 

post,  or  the  interior  of  his  store. 

250.  Lacquered  box,  richly  inlaid  with  pearl  shell. 

251  and  253.  A pair  of  lacquered  cases,  made  from  the  sec- 
tion of  bamboo,  with  painting  of  the  parent  tree 
in  gold,  &c. 

252.  Large  and  curious  root  of  fanciful  design. 

254.  Small  lacquered  box,  for  trinkets. 

255.  Carved  sign,  as  249. 

256  and  257.  A full  tea  service,  of  lacquered  ware,  of  great 
beauty,  and  extremely  light.  Sixty  or  seventy 


40 


coats  of  varnish  are  frequently  put  upon  the  finer 
articles  of  wooden  ware. 

258,  26 0 — 262.  Lacquered  cases  of  various  shapes — each 

containing  smaller  boxes  of  singular  forms,  &c. 

259.  Ancient  bronze  vase. 

263.  Garden  railing  of  common  ware. 

264.  Lacquered  case,  of  singular  form,  to  contain  the  tea- 

service,  No.  256  and  257. 

265.  Small  case  of  drawers,  of  iron  wood. 

266.  A gentleman’s  travelling  wardrobe,  of  lacquered 

ware. 

267.  Sung-pan,  or  reckoning  board,  on  which  all  calcula- 

tions are  made  in  China. 

268.  Long  lacquered  case,  in  which  rolls  of  silks  are  sent 

to  friends  and  newly  married  acquaintances. 

269.  A box  used  by  ladies  for  needle-work,  embroidery, 

&c. 

270.  Compass  and  perpetual  almanac. 

271  and  272.  Carved  sections  of  bamboo,  for  pen-holders. 
273  and  279.  Pillows  used  in  summer — the  bamboo  slats 
on  the  top  being  elastic. 

274.  Compass  and  dial. 

275  and  277.  Carved  bamboo  sections. 

278.  As  274. 

280.  Lacquered  case,  inlaid  with  pearl  shell,  to  contain 

cakes  of  ink. 

281.  Very  curiously  carved  and  lacquered  box. 

282  and  283.  Lacquered  boxes,  having  several  compart- 
ments in  each. 

284.  Writing  desk,  in  gold  lacquer,  &c. 

285.  Cameo  in  stand. 

286.  Lacquered  tea-caddy,  with  white  copper,  do.  for  the 

inside. 

287.  Cap  stand,  in  form  of  a tripod. 

288.  Cuspadors  of  white  copper. 

The  lacquered,  or  japanned  ware  of  China  is  well 


41 


known.  All  substances  that  are  dry  and  rigid,  as  woods, 
metals,  and  prepared  paper,  admit  of  being  japanned. 
The  fine  varnish  used  for  this  purpose  is  obtained  from  a 
shrub,  called  atsie-shoo , a species  of  rhus,  from  which  it 
distils  like  gum.  It  is  poisonous  in  a liquid  state,  and 
hence  great  caution  is  used  both  by  those  who  gather  and 
those  who  work  in  it,  to  shield  themselves  from  its  noxious 
qualities.  It  is  capable  of  receiving  all  colours,  though 
black  is  the  most  common.  More  than  fifty  coats  of  var- 
nish are  sometimes  put  on. 


CASE  XY. 

China  Ware. 

290.  Pair  of  cushions,  used  for  supporting  the  arms  on 
couches. 

291 — 293.  Flower-pots. 

294.  Three  vases. 

295.  Three  ancient  idols. 

296.  Curious  vase,  very  ancient. 

297.  Porcelain  vessel  for  rice. 

298.  Common  vase. 

299.  Ancient  and  very  beautiful  vase. 

300.  Yase,  in  imitation  of  marble,  on  stand. 

301.  Pair  of  square  vases. 

302.  Sweetmeat  vessel. 

303.  Yessel  used  for  snuff. 

304.  Ancient  vase,  with  surface  purposely  cracked  in 

burning. 

305.  Antique  vase,  in  imitation  of  metal. 

306 — 309.  Yases  of  various  form. 

6 


D 


o 


42 


810.  Unglazed  vessel,  for  burning  jhos-sticks. 

311.  Large  ornamental  vase,  from  Nankin. 

312  and  314.  Specimens  of  garden  seats. 

313.  Very  curious  porcelain  box,  in  form  of  a crab,  with 
moveable  eyes  and  feet. 

315.  Three  ancient  and  beautiful  vases,  ornamented  with 
lizards. 

316  and  318.  Vases. 

317.  Do.,  in  form  of  a cabbage. 

319,  321,  323,  and  325.  Flower-vases  of  recent  make. 

320.  An  ancient  jar,  cracked  in  burning. 

322.  Antique  bottle-shaped  vase  from  the  northern  pro- 
vinces. The  style  and  painting  of  this  vase  is 
greatly  esteemed  by  the  Chinese.  Its  age  is  over 
three  hundred  years. 

324.  Ancient  metallic  vase. 

326.  Rare  and  curious  vase  from  Nankin. 

327 — 329.  Pair  of  richly  painted  and  gilted  sugar-jars. 

328.  Ancient  porcelain  jar,  discoloured  by  time.  Its  age 
is  above  two  hundred  and  fifty  years. 

330.  Pair  of  white  copper  euspadors. 

331.  Curious  jar,  cracked  in  the  burning. 

332.  Ancient  China  image,  representing  a mandarin  bear- 

ing the  joo-ee  or  sceptre. 

334.  Do.,  representing  a Chinese  sage. 

336.  Ancient  figure,  emblematical  of  old  age  and  infancy. 
333  and  335.  Pair  of  beautiful  flower-jars. 

337 — 341.  Vases  of  different  sizes  and  forms. 

342.  Ancient  jar  of  singular  form  : age  unknown 

343.  Set  of  china  ornaments. 

344.  Ancient  ornament  of  curious  form. 

345.  Flower-vase,  with  three  orifices  for  one  flower  each. 

346.  Antique  porcelain  vessel  or  cage,  on  stand,  for  con- 

taining sweet  scented  flowers,  emitting  an  agree- 
able perfume. 

347.  34§  350,  and  351.  Ancient  jars,  on  stands. 


43 


349.  Specimen  of  painting  on  porcelain,  on  stand. 

3 52.  Do.  very  old. 

353  and  354.  Porcelain  garden  seats,  richly  painted. 


CASE  XVI. 

China  Ware. 

355.  Beautiful  flower-pot. 

356.  Three  ancient  vases,  of  curious  form,  on  stands. 

357.  Curious  flower-pot,  with  figures,  &c.  representing  a 

besieged  castle,  in  the  interstices  of  which  flowers 
are  planted. 

358.  Two  vases  of  different  forms. 

359.  As  355. 

360.  Ancient  and  beautiful  yellow  vase,  on  stand,  orna- 

mented with  a raised  green  dragon ; a mythological 
emblem  of  the  great  dragon  attempting  to  swallow 
the  moon ; believed,  by  the  Chinese,  to  be  the  cause 
of  the  eclipse  of  that  nocturnal  luminary. 

361— 365.  Vases  of  different  forms  and  sizes:  some  of 
them  very  beautiful  on  account  of  the  colour  and 
glazing. 

366  and  367.  Porcelain  garden  seats. 

368.  Ancient  earthen  jar. 

369.  Square  vase. 

370.  Part  of  a porcelain  balustrade. 

371  and  373.  Pair  of  porcelain  pipe  stands  from  Nankin  : 
these  are  used  in  the  houses  of  the  wealthy,  and  are 
placed  near  the  doors,  from  which  guests  are  sup- 
plied with  pipes. 

372.  Model  of  the  porcelain  tower  at  Nankin. 

374  and  378.  Pair  of  very  large  and  rich  vases,  from  Nankin. 

375  and  377.  Pair  of  smaller  do. 


44 


376.  Very  ancient  and  beautiful  square  jar,  on  stand,  from 
the  interior. 

380  and  383.  Ancient  vases,  very  beautiful. 

381  and  382.  Pair  of  rich  china  jars,  for  powdered  sugar. 

384.  Two  sections  of  porcelain  balustrade. 

385.  Vase  from  the  interior,  more  than  five  hundred  years 

old.  As  the  Chinese  attach  great  veneration  to 
antiques,  its  value  was  in  proportion. 

386 — 330.  Vases  of  different  forms. 

391.  Beautiful  yellow  vase,  elegantly  ornamented  with 

raised  figures. 

392.  Elegant  porcelain  candlestick. 

393.  395,  and  396.  Vases  cracked  in  the  burning,  of  great 

beauty. 

394.  Ancient  jar  and  stand. 

397.  Porcelain  vase,  in  imitation  of  metal. 

398.  Garden  seats. 

399  and  400.  Porcelain  landmarks,  to  designate  the  bound- 
aries of  adjoining  estates.  The  owner’s  name  is 
inscribed,  and  they  are  placed  in  some  convenient 
spot. 

401.  As  398. 

The  porcelain  manufacture  undoubtedly  had  its  origin 
in  China,  and  we  must,  therefore,  hold  ourselves  indebted 
to  the  Chinese  for  all  that  rich  variety  of  useful  and  orna- 
mental china  wTare  articles,  which  load  our  tables,  and 
adorn  our  parlours  and  cabinets.  It  was  introduced  to  the 
knowledge  of  Europeans  by  that  famous  Venetian  travel- 
ler, Marco  Polo.  The  first  furnace  on  record  was  in 
Keang-sy,  which  dates  as  far  back  as  the  commencement 
of  the  seventh  century  of  our  era.  King-tse-ching,  a place 
near  the  Poyang  lake,  is  now  the  most  celebrated  for  this 
manufacture.  The  factories  were  commenced  there 
about  a.  D.  1000,  and  have  increased  to  the  number  of 
several  hundred.  Staunton  says  that  the  flames  which 
issue  from  them  cause  the  place  to  appear  at  night  like  a 


4 5 


vast  city  enveloped  in  a general  conflagration.  The  spec- 
tacle is  terrific  and  sublime.  The  furnaces  give  employ- 
ment to  the  male  working  portion  of  a population  said  to 
amount  to  a million.  The  division  of  labour  is  carried  to 
its  acme.  A tea-cup,  from  the  time  when  it  lies  embedded 
in  its  native  quarries,  till  it  comes  forth  in  its  perfection 
from  the  furnace,  passes  through  more  than  fifty  different 
hands.  The  painting  alone  is  divided  between  a half  dozen 
persons,  one  of  whom  sketches  the  outline  of  a bird,  an- 
other of  a plant,  a third  of  some  other  figure,  while  a 
fourth  fills  in  the  colours.  The  brilliancy  of  their  colouring 
has  never  been  surpassed  ; but  the  designing  is  not,  as  a 
general  thing,  to  be  commended.  The  reason  probably  is, 
that  no  higher  wages  are  paid  to  those  who  labour  in  this 
department  of  the  manufacture,  than  to  those  who  perform 
the  coarser  operations. 

It  is  perfectly  obvious  from  an  inspection  of  the  articles 
embraced  in  this  collection,  that  the  excellence  of  the 
porcelain  manufacture  has  been  on  the  decline  for  the 
last  three  centuries.  The  deterioration,  as  well  as  the 
high  degree  of  perfection  it  had  then  attained,  are  easily 
explained.  The  emperors  who  flourished  about  that  pe- 
riod encouraged  the  manufacture  by  munificent  premiums 
on  the  most  beautiful  specimens,  and  by  large  annual 
orders  for  the  finer  wares.  A premium  of  15,000  tael,  or 
more  than  $20,000,  was  bestowed  on  the  manufacturer  of 
the  best  specimen ; 10,000  tael  on  him  who  produced  the 
second-best ; while  third-rate  excellence  received  a reward 
of  5,000.  The  emperors  no  longer  bestow  any  special 
encouragement,  and  hence  the  decline  of  competition,  and 
consequently  of  excellence. 

The  origin  of  the  word  porcelain,  or  porcellana , may 
not  be  generally  known.  Marsden,  as  quoted  by  Davis, 
shows  that  it  was-  applied  by  the  Europeans  to  the  ware  of 
China,  from  the  resemblance  of  its  finely  polished  surface 
to  that  of  the  univalve  shell  so  named ; while  the  shell 


46 


itself  derived  its  appellation  from  the  curved  shape  of  its 
upper  surface,  which  was  thought  to  resemble  the  raised 
back  of  a porcella , or  little  hog. 


CASE  XVII. 

No.  402 — 404.  Three  models  of  summer-houses,  usual  in 
the  gardens  of  the  wealthy,  in  the  southern  pro- 
vinces of  China. 

405.  Model  of  a two  story  summer-house,  in  the  north- 

ern provinces,  of  exquisite  workmanship,  and 
completely  furnished.  This  affords  a good  spe- 
cimen of  mother-of-pearl  windows.  The  sum- 
mer-houses often  stand  in  the  midst  of  a sheet  of 
water,  and  are  approached  by  bridges. 

406.  A domestic  shrine,  with  three  golden  images,  candle- 

sticks, and  incense  burner.  These  are  found  in 
every  house  and  boat  in  China,  and  are  of  various 
sizes  and  devices,  according  to  the  means  of  the 
occupants. 

407.  Model  of  a bridge  of  one  arch,  near  Canton. 


CASE  XVIII. 

Chinese  Boats . 

No.  408.  Model  of  a boat  used  on  the  canals  near  Pekin, 
for  the  conveyance  of  grain,  forming  a part  of  the 
government  revenue  derived  from  a tax  on  Ian  . 


47 


409.  Chop-boat,  employed  as  a lighter  in  transporting  car- 

goes up  and  down  the  river,  to  and  from  foreign 
vessels  at  Whampoa. 

410.  Sanpan,  a family  boat.  Of  this  description  there  are 

estimated  to  be  upwards  of  40,000  on  the  Canton 
river  near  the  city,  containing  a population  of  more 
than  200,000  souls.  These  boats  are  regularly 
licensed  by  government.  The  husband  finds  em- 
ployment on  shore,  while  the  wife  has  charge  of 
the  floating  domicil.  These  women  seek  a main- 
tenance in  carrying  passengers  to  the  neighbouring 
places.  The  cleanliness  of  their  boats  is  remark- 
able, rivalling  the  whiteness  of  a milk-pail  in  the 
Philadelphia  market. 

411.  Model  of  a pagoda  near  Whampoa,  nine  stories,  and 

about  one  hundred  and  seventy  feet  high. 

412.  Bridge  at  Honam,  near  Canton,  built  of  granite. 


CASE  XIX. 

No.  414.  Canal  boat  of  the  smaller  size. 

415.  Do.,  of  the  largest  class,  capable  of  carrying  several 

hundred  tons.  These  boats  are  employed  in  trans- 
porting teas  and  other  merchandise  on  the  canals 
and  rivers. 

416.  Model  of  a bridge  at  Fathon  near  Canton,  built  of 

granite,  and  of  excellent  workmanship.  Bridges 
in  the  vicinity  of  the  city,  are  constructed  as  foot- 
ways, though  horses  are  sometimes  taken  over. 

417.  Mandarin  boat,  or  revenue  cutter,  for  the  prevention 

of  smuggling. 

The  immense  variety  of  boats  that  literally  crowd  the 
waters  of  China,  maybe  divided  into  two  classes;  those  that 


48 


have  eyes  and  those  without  them.  To  the  former  class 
belong  the  military  and  trading  junks,  that  navigate  the 
•‘great  sea.”  Of  these  we  have  no  model  in  this  Col- 
lection, but  there  is  an  exact  representation  of  them  in 
a painting  on  one  of  the  panels  of  the  screen-work,  before 
noticed.  They  are  nearly  in  the  shape  of  a new  moon,  and 
as  clumsy  a craft  as  could  well  be  contrived.  The  emperor 
not  only  affords  no  encouragement  to  improvement,  but 
actually  puts  a price  on  the  opposite,  in  the  exaction  of 
foreign  port-duties  from  junks  constructed  on  improved 
principles.  These  vessels  have  always  a great  eye  painted 
on  each  side  of  the  bows.  This  usage  had  its  origin  pro- 
bably in  some  superstition.  If  a Chinese  is  questioned  as 
to  its  cause,  his  reply  is,- — “ Have  eye,  can  see ; can  see, 
can  saavez  : no  have  eye,  no  can  see ; no  can  see,  no  can 
saavez.” 

The  variety  of  craft  used  upon  the  inland  waters  of 
China  is  very  great.  Of  most  of  the  different  kinds  we 
have  models  in  the  two  cases  before  us.  These  all  appear 
well  contrived  for  the  purpose  to  which  they  are  applied, 
and  are  by  no  means  destitute  of  beauty.  They  are  pro- 
vided with  bamboo  sails,  used  only  occasionally,  and  the 
rudders  are  universally  perforated  with  small  holes,  which 
may  be  set  down  as  a wonder  for  the  wise.  They  are  ge- 
nerally propelled  by  sculling,  a method  which  is  made  ab- 
solutely necessary  by  the  number  of  boats  always  in  mo- 
tion. The  skill  with  which  the  Chinese  perform  this 
operation  confirms  the  old  proverb,  that  “ practice  makes 
perfect;”  for  the  boat  is  made  to  dart  forward  at  a rapid 
rate,  and  in  a line  as  direct  as  any  well-managed  sail  ves- 
sel could  describe.  The  foreign  sailors  sometimes  try 
their  skill,  but  make  a sorry  business  of  it : “no  can  do.” 


49 


CASES  XX.,  XXII.,  & XXIII. 

These  cases  are  filled  with  specimens  of  shells  and  co- 
rals from  the  Chinese  seas,  which  are  labelled. 


CASE  XXL 

The  different  specimens  of  silks  and  other  manufac- 
tures exhibited  in  this  case,  and  also  in  No.  52,  are  made 
expressly  for  native  use,  the  style  and  quality  being  pecu- 
liarly their  own,  and  are  not  exported  as  merchandise. 

No.  447.  Specimens  of  silks,  used  principally  for  linings 
of  winter  dresses,  and  sometimes  forming  part  of 
the  summer  costume  of  the  wealthy. 

448.  Specimens  of  grass-cloth,  made  of  a species  of  hemp, 

much  used  in  China;  the  coarser  kind  for  the 
poorer  orders,  the  finer  for  the  rich.  This  is  a 
cooler  article  than  the  French  cambric. 

449.  Cotton  check,  in  extensive  use  in  China,  which,  it 

will  be  seen,  bears  a strong  resemblance  to  our 
own  manufacture. 

450.  Specimens  of  linen  and  cotton  goods,  used  for  bed 

covers. 

451.  Crimson  cotton  for  lining. 

452.  Black  silk  velvet,  used  for  facing  winter  felt  caps. 

453  and  454.  Silks  as  447. 

455.  Dyed  grass-cloths. 

456.  Common  brown  cotton,  resembling  American  manu- 

facture— about  16  inches  wide,  and  costs  from  4 
to  5 cents  per  yard. 


7 


E 


50 


457.  Cotton  musquito  bar. 

458.  Coarsest  kind  of  grass  cloth,  used  by  the  poorest 

classes,  and  sometimes  by  the  rich  for  mourning. 

459.  Striped  buglapoore,  used  for  gentlemen’s  summer 

dresses  in  China. 

460.  Dyed  cottons  for  linings. 

461.  Damasked  striped  silk,  for  edges  of  gentlemen’s 

dresses. 


CASE  XXIV. 

No.  428  and  429.  Chinese  candles,  made  from  the  tallow 
tree,  used  in  temples  and  the  houses  of  the  wealthy 
in  the  celebration  of  the  new  year,  a moveable 
feast,  which  occurs  on  the  second  new  moon  after 
the  winter  solstice. 

430.  A military  officer’s  saddle,  bridle,  &c.  It  is  of  the 

most  expensive  kind,  and  such  as  are  but  seldom 
seen.  Those  used  by  inferior  officers  are  gene- 
rally of  leather  and  nankeen. 

431.  Lamp  carried  on  the  shoulders  of  a bearer  in  mar- 

riage processions. 

432.  Lamp  pole  for  the  above. 

433  and  434.  Candles,  as  Nos.  428  and  429. 

435.  Lamp  used  in  theatrical  representations,  of  exquisite 
beauty. 

438.  Splendid  specimen  of  embroidery,  used  in  theatrical 

representations,  worked  by  men,  as  is  often  the 
case  in  China.  The  Chinese  excel  all  other  na- 
tions in  the  art  of  embroidery. 

439.  Specimen  of  Chinese  woollen  manufacture. 

440.  Specimen  of  fruit  in  enamel. 

441.  do.  do.  in  clay. 

Splendid  state  lamp  suspended  from  the  ceiling. 


51 


CASE  XXV. 

No.  427.  Pleasure  boat  of  the  largest  size,  frequently  oc- 
cupied by  the  wealthy  classes  in  the  summer  even- 
ings. 

418.  Bridge  of  five  arches,  at  Fahtee,  built  of  granite. 

419.  Long  duck  gun,  with  matchlock. 

420.  Small  priming  horn. 

421.  Powder  horns. 

422.  Match  rope. 

423.  Gunpowder. 

424.  Small  iron  shot,  used  by  sportsmen  as  a matter  of 

economy. 

425.  Air-gun,  (wooden  barrel.) 

426.  Leaden  balls  for  air-gun. 

442.  Specimens  of  stones  of  which  the  above  bridge  is  built. 

443.  Specimens  of  brick,  one  of  which  was  taken  from  the 

ancient  pagoda  on  Lob  creek. 

444.  Pair  of  swords,  to  be  used  by  both  hands,  but  having 

one  sheath.  The  object  in  using  this  weapon  is 
to  hamstring  the  enemy. 

445.  An  ivory  ball,  containing  seven  concentric  spheres, 

cut  from  a solid  block. 

446.  Another  ivory  ball,  with  seventeen  balls  within,  each 

one  being  carved  of  different  pattern.  The  average 
time  consumed  in  carving  each  ball,  is  one  month. 
Specimens  of  fruits  in  clay. 

Numerous  opium  and  tobacco  pipes 
Two  ornamental  stands,  with  carved  figures  on  them. 
On  the  top  of  this  case  is  placed  a model  of  a Chinese 
Water-wheel,  worked  by  men  in  a similar  way,  to  a tread- 
mill. 


52 


CASE  XXVI. 

N o.  4 62.  Specimens  of  Chinese  books,  with  the  titles  on  the 
ends,  showing  the  mode  of  binding  with  the  en- 
velope. 

463.  Printing  block  of  wood,  resembling,  in  its  use,  our 

stereotype  plates  All  printing  in  China  is  executed 
from  blocks  of  this  kind. 

464.  Very  small  book,  used  as  an  amulet.  Another  of  the 

same  kind  is  exhibited  below,  open. 

465.  Budhist  book,  filled  with  pictures,  representing  their 

future  punishments.  Drawings  of  their  punish- 
ments are  frequently  seen  in  this  and  other  coun- 
tries, and  are  erroneously  supposed  to  represent 
the  punishments  actually  inflicted  upon  criminals 
by  the  Chinese  laws. 

466.  Book  of  architectural  drawings,  with  silk  margin,  and 

wooden  covers. 

467.  Book  of  ancient  seal  characters. 

468.  Representations  of  the  religious  ceremonies  of  the 

Budhists. 

The  lower  section  is  filled  with  books  of  various 
kinds. 


CASE  XXVII. 

No.  469.  Shoes  for  ladies  having  large  feet,  of  which  a 
great  variety  is  exhibited  in  this  case.  The  lower 
part  of  the  soles  is  formed  of  dressed  pig’s  skin,  the 
rest  of  compressed  paper. 


53 


470.  Shoes  for  ladies  having  small  feet,  called  by  the 

Chinese,  “Golden  lilies.” 

471.  As  469. 

472.  Gentlemen’s  shoes,  of  various  patterns. 

473.  Children’s  do. 

474.  Gentlemen’s  shoes  for  wet  weather,  the  upper  part 

being  of  satin,  the  lower  of  wood. 


CASE  XXVIII. 

No.  475.  Black  satin  cap,  worn  by  the  Budhist  priests. 

476.  Summer  caps,  worn  by  private  gentlemen. 

477.  Winter  caps,  made  of  crape,  worn  as  above. 

479.  Embroidered  canonical  headdress. 

480.  A gentleman’s  cap,  made  of  a sort  of  felt,  and  worn  in 

winter. 

481.  A pair  of  gentlemen’s  long  leather  boots,  for  wet 

weather. 

482.  Ladies’  small  leather  boots,  with  wooden  soles. 

483.  Ladies’  small  leather  boots  for  wet  weather. 

484.  Women’s  leather  shoes  with  wooden  soles. 


CASE  XXIX. 

No.  485.  Beautiful  fan  for  ladies’  use,  made  in  part  of  pea- 
cocks’ feathers,  and  in  part  of  elegantly  embroidered 
work. 

486.  Carved  ivory  stamp  or  seal,  having  several  concentric 
spheres  in  the  handle. 

e 2 


54 


487.  A gentleman’s  embroidered  knee-pan,  for  protecting 

the  knee  in  case  of  falling. 

488.  Wine  cup  of  pressed  glass. 

489.  Miniature  painting  of  a Chinese  lady  on  ivory. 

490.  An  ivory  puzzle. 

491.  Small  ebony  boxes,  inlaid  with  pearl  shell,  and  con- 

taining flint,  steel,  and  punk. 

492.  A lady’s  fan,  elegantly  painted  on  silk  with  ivory 

handle. 

493.  Painting  brush,  composed  of  dyed  horse-hair. 

494.  As  487— for  ladies’  use. 

495.  Gentlemen’s  embroidered  pocket. 

496.  do.  do.  fan  case. 

497.  do.  do.  watch-pocket  and  purse. 

498.  Embroidered  silk  spectacle  case. 

499.  Silk  bags,  having  a maxim  embroidered  on  the  side ; 

for  tobacco,  and  attached  to  the  pipe. 

500.  Silk  garters. 

501.  A silk  girdle  to  confine  the  dress,  which  every  gen- 

tleman in  China  wears. 

502.  Silk  ornaments  worn  by  ladies. 

503.  A beautifbl  sculptured  marble  vase,  having  for  its 

handle  a representation  of  a lion  drinking  from  the 
vessel. 

504.  A Chinese  printed  book  of  maxims. 

505.  Embroidered  pocket,  worn  by  gentlemen. 

506.  Beautiful  beads,  turned  from  fragments  of  the  mala- 

chite, or  green  copper  ore,  from  near  Nankin ; they 
are  used  in  necklaces  for  mandarins. 

507.  Richly  ornamented  flower  vase. 

508.  Very  elegant  porcelain  vessel  or  stand  for  burning 

odoriferous  wood. 

509.  Rosary  of  sandal  wood. 

510.  Embroidered  spectacle  case. 

511.  An  article  made  of  copper,  and  used  for  the  same 

purpose  as  our  flat-irons.  The  smooth  surface  is 


55 


here  exhibited ; the  body  is  hollow,  and  receives 
the  ignited  coals. 

512.  Gaming  cards. 

513.  Ornamental  rose-wood  stand,  with  several  amulets  on 

the  top. 

514.  As  499. 

515.  Hand  furnace  of  white  copper,  for  warming  the  fin- 

gers, as  before  described. 

516.  Gentlemen’s  embroidered  memorandum  cases. 

517.  do.  do.  pockets. 

518.  Gentlemen’s  embroidered  sash,  with  a pair  of  tobacco 

pouches,  worn  on  each  side. 

519.  A gentleman’s  shirt,  worn  next  the  skin  in  warm 

weather,  made  of  the  twig  of  the  bamboo  tree. 

520.  A gentleman’s  fan,  with  embroidered  case,  and  two 

crimson  silk  sashes,  as  518. 

521.  As  519. 

On  the  bottom  of  the  case  are  several  gentlemen’s 
fans. 


CASE  XXX. 

No.  522.  Coral  bead  necklace,  worn  by  mandarins  and 
gentlemen  of  rank. 

523.  Ancient  metallic  idol. 

524.  Curiously  sculptured  stone  pen  rests. 

525.  A travelling  apparatus,  containing  a knife,  and  pair 

of  chopsticks,  with  which  every  gentleman  is  pro- 
vided. 

526.  Beautiful  carved  ornamental  stand  of  hard  wood, 

with  a marble  image  of  Budha  in  the  centre,  inlaid 
metallic  tripod  on  the  right,  and  a dormant  lion  on 
the  left. 


56 


527.  Curious  piece  of  sculpture,  representing  a bird  attack- 

ed by  a monster  of  the  lizard  species. 

528.  Ornamental  stand,  with  three  metallic  idols. 

529.  Carved  wooden  figure  and  stand. 

530.  A pair  of  ornamental  barrel-shaped  stands,  the  left 

hand  one  supporting  a metallic  censer ; that  on  the 
right  a vessel  with  shovel,  &c.,  for  arranging  the 
ashes  of  the  odoriferous  matches. 

531.  Marble  figure  and  stand. 

532.  Ornamental  stand  with  metallic  Budha  idol. 

533.  Grotesque  metallic  image  on  stand. 

534.  Glass  wine-cup,  cast,  in  imitation  of  those  cut  out  of 

valuable  stones. 

535.  Curiously  distorted  root,  which,  by  the  assistance  of 

a little  art,  has  the  appearance  of  a bird. 

536.  Ornamental  stand  and  vessel. 

537.  Very  ancient  sculptured  dog. 

538.  Ornamental  stand,  with  marble  pen  rest. 

540.  do.  with  fine  bamboo  carving. 

541.  Grotesque  metallic  lion  on  stand. 

542.  A root  on  stand,  resembling  a deer. 

543.  Polished  cornelian  in  carved  frame,  intended  to  sup- 

port a cake  of  ink. 

544.  Joo-ee,  a sort  of  staff  or  sceptre.  It  is  thus  described 

by  Mr.  Davis : This  ornament,  which  has  some- 
times, for  want  of  a better  name,  been  called  a 
sceptre,  is,  in  fact,  an  emblem  of  amity  and  good 
will,  of  a shape  less  bent  than  the  letter  S,  about 
eighteen  inches  in  length,  and  cut  from  the  jade  or 
yu  stone.  It  is  called  joo-ee,  “ as  you  wish,”  and  is 
simply  exchanged  as  a costly  mark  of  friendship ; 
but  that  it  had  a religious  origin  seems  indicated 
by  the  sacred  flower  of  the  lotus  (Nymphaea  ne- 
lumbo)  being  generally  carved  on  the  superior  end. 

545.  Curious  root,  resembling  a bird. 

546.  As  541. 


57 


547,  548,  550,  552,  and  553.  As  540. 

549.  Grotesque  metallic  lion  on  stand. 

551.  Metallic  figure  representing  a female  divinity  on  re- 
cumbent elephant. 

554  and  556.  A pair  of  very  beautiful  ornamental  stands, 
with  marble  tops,  on  which  are  grotesque  sculp- 
tured figures,  and  elegantly  wrought  baskets  of 
bamboo. 

555.  Ornamental  stand,  with  variegated  marble  top,  on 
which  is  placed  a stone  in  a frame  formed  from  the 
root  of  a tree.  This  is  covered  with  sculptured 
hieroglyphics,  and  is  held  by  the  Chinese  in  religious 
veneration. 


CASE  XXXI. 

No.  557.  A gentleman’s  pocket  mirror,  the  back  of  which 
is  of  ivory,  with  beautifully  carved  figures. 

558.  Do.,  with  back  of  sandal  wood  carved  in  a similai 

manner. 

559.  Ornamental  stand  with  two  specimens  of  beautiful 

carvings  in  ivory. 

560.  Carved  mother-of-pearl  ornament,  attached  to  the 

neck  of  the  outer  garment. 

561.  Sculptured  stone,  as  555. 

562.  Ornamental  stand,  with  imitations  of  fruit  in  silver 

wire,  beautifully  executed. 

564.  A signet  or  hand  seal  placed  upon  official  documents, 

on  the  top  of  which  is  a representation  of  a lion 
and  whelp. 

565.  Glass  box  used  for  holding  the  red  ink  for  do. 

566.  Ornamental  stand  with  specimens  of  carving  in  ivory, 

of  men,  cattle,  birds,  &c. 

567.  Ancient  marble  figure  on  stand. 

8 


58 


568.  Richly  carved  ivory  case,  to  contain  a gentleman's 

snuff  bottle. 

569.  Small  metallic  candlestick. 

570.  Pair  of  pearl  oyster-shells  richly  carved,  on  one  of 

which  there  is  a bee,  ingeniously  wrought  out  of 
gold  wire,  a novel  and  brilliant  imitation  of  that 
useful  insect. 

571.  Bamboo  rosary,  composed  of  beads,  each  of  which  is 

carved  in  imitation  of  a portly  priest. 

512.  Beads  of  odoriferous  wood,  from  the  seed  vessel  of  a 
plant,  sometimes  used  as  buttons. 

573.  An  ornamental  stand,  in  which  is  an  apparatus  in 

silver,  consisting  of  a tongue-scraper,  tooth-pick, 
and  ear-pick : these  are  generally  appended  to  the 
girdle  of  the  dress,  attached  by  a chain  of  the  same 
metal. 

574.  Pair  of  chopsticks  and  knife  in  case  of  sandal  wood. 
575  and  576.  Odoriferous  beads  covered  with  silk,  usually 

suspended  at  the  neck  of  the  outer  coat  or  jacket 
of  Chinese  women  when  fully  dressed. 

577.  Small  ornamental  stand,  with  porcelain  vessel. 

578.  Stand  with  sculptured  stone,  as  described  in  555. 

579.  Model  of  a mandarin’s  couch,  richly  carved,  with  foot- 

stools in  front ; in  the  centre  is  a low  table  for 
resting  the  arm,  and  for  taking  tea. 

580.  Small  stand,  with  porcelain  vessel. 

581.  As  578. 

582.  Beautiful  specimen  of  variegated  marble,  with  rude 

natural  resemblances  of  birds  and  animals,  in  a 
richly  carved  frame. 

583.  Copper  cast  of  Fo  or  Budha,  worshipped  by  a reli- 

gious sect  in  China,  on  stand  of  hard  wood. 

584.  Specimen  of  painting  on  glass,  with  astrological  de- 

vice, in  richly  carved  frame. 


59 


CASE  XXXII. 

The  two  upper  sections  of  this  case  contain  specimens 
of  fishes  of  various  kinds,  from  the  Chinese  waters. 

The  lower  section  contains  several  specimens  of  the 
feathered  tribe  : also  a female  scaly  lizard  or  pangolin, 
(manis  pentadactyla. ) The  short-tailed  manis,  taken  near 
Canton,  where  it  burrows  under  ground,  and  is  common  in 
the  spring.  The  male  rolls  itself  up  as  represented,  when 
alarmed. 


CASE  XXXIII. 

No.  585.  Gentleman’s  silk  embroidered  tobacco-pouch. 

586.  Lady’s  do. 

587.  Sung-pan,  or  calculating  board. 

588.  Lady’s  work-basket,  ingeniously  wrought  from  bam- 

boo. 

589.  Pair  of  spectacles  with  tortoise-shell  frame,  and  em- 

broidered case. 

590.  Ornamental  stand,  with  grotesque  sculptured  human 

figure. 

591.  Pair  of  spectacles  of  different  construction. 

592.  Pair  of  washed  metallic  rings,  put  on.  the  arms  of 

females  when  young,  and  never  taken  off;  also  a 
washed  metallic  pin  for  the  hair. 

593  and  595.  Buttons  worn  on  mandarins’  caps  to  denote 
their  rank. 

594.  Ancient  Chinese  coins  of  different  reigns.  The  in- 
scriptions on  them  are  in  the  antique  seal  character, 
which  is  a species  of  black  letter  in  China.  There 
are  few  persons  who  are  well  versed  in  it. 


60 


596.  Mariner’s  compass,  called  by  the  Chinese  “ The 

needle  pointing  to  the  south.” 

597.  Ladies’  earrings  of  coloured  glass. 

598.  Mandarin’s  clasp,  to  fasten  the  girdle  of  the  dress. 

599.  Model  of  a couch,  the  panels  and  seat  of  which  are 

of  marble. 

600.  Rings  of  the  jade  stone,  as  592. 

601.  Do.  do.  hair  pins. 

602.  Gentlemen's  embroidered  pockets. 

603.  Ornamental  stand,  with  marble  top,  on  which  is  a 

plate  of  wax  fruit,  and  several  coloured  glass  snuff 
bottles. 

604.  Lady’s  fancy  pincushion. 

605.  Stand,  with  porcelain  bowl  resembling  Wedgwood, 

amber-coloured  beads,  snulf  bottles,  &c. 

606.  Richly  carved  and  lacquered  box  for  jewellery. 

607.  Stand  with  grotesque  figure,  and  antique  copper  ves- 

sel in  form  of  a duck,  used  to  contain  water  for 
diluting  the  China  ink. 

608.  Stone  medallions,  with  hieroglyphics,  used  as  amulets 

or  charms. 

609.  Stand,  with  fancy  bamboo  basket. 

610.  Pen-holder,  made  of  the  bark  of  a tree. 

611.  Pallet  and  cover,  for  mixing  India  ink. 

612.  Winnowing  machine,  used  in  sifting  tea,  having  two 

spouts,  to  ascertain  the  proportion  of  dust,  called 
“ fung-kwei” 


CASES  XXXIV.,  XXXV.,  & XXXVI. 

These  cases  contain  numerous  specimens  in  natural 
history ; serpents,  lizards,  toads,  and  fishes,  some  of  which 
are  of  exceedingly  tiny  dimensions. 


61 


CASE  XXXVII. 

The  two  upper  sections  of  this  case  contain  many 
mineralogical  specimens,  (labelled.) 

No.  613.  Chinese  gong,  a musical  instrument  used  in 
temples,  and  at  private  theatrical  entertainments,  &c. 

614.  Another  gong,  smaller  than  the  above,  but  of  louder 

sound. 

615.  Kind  of  kettle  drum,  made  of  pig’s  hide,  on  stand. 

616.  Musical  instrument  used  in  temples,  having  the  sound 

of  a bell. 

617.  Small  gong,  called  lo-tseih. 


CASE  XXXVIII. 

No.  618.  Implements  used  in  splitting  wood. 

619.  Cleavers  used  by  butchers. 

620.  Tailors’  scissors,  the  blades  of  which  are  hollowed 

on  the  inside. 

621.  Iron  skewers  for  stringing  fish. 

622.  Large  fish  knife. 

623.  Reaping  hook. 

624.  An  iron  shoe,  attached  to  hoes. 

625.  Whetstone. 

626.  Pruning  hooks. 

627.  Sickles  for  rice. 

628.  Meat  knives. 

629.  Knife  for  cutting  leather. 

630.  A wood  chopper. 

631.  Knife  for  cutting  up  meat. 


62 


632.  Bricklayer’s  trowel. 

633.  Portable  anvil,  carried  by  itinerant  blacksmiths. 

634.  Cast  iron  vessel  for  cooking  rice,  very  thin. 

635.  Vessel  of  cast  iron,  for  various  uses. 

636.  Stonecutter’s  hammer. 

637.  Rat  trap,  of  common  but  rude  construction 

638.  Cast  iron  mortar  and  pestle. 


CASE  XXXIX. 

No.  639.  Chinese  flute,  called  sew. 

640.  Guitar,  called  sam-yeen. 

641.  Musical  instrument,  Called  yuen-cum,  strongly  resem- 

bling the  harmonican ; the  tones  being  remarkably 
clear  and  melodious.  The  small  slips  of  bamboo 
are  used  to  strike  the  strings. 

642.  Guitar  of  ebony ; the  ball  is  covered  with  part  of  a 

snake’s  skin : the  name  in  Chinese  is  ou-pa. 

643.  A wind  instrument,  called  sung.  The  tones  emitted 

by  this  instrument  are  very  similar  to  the  music  of 
the  Scotch  bagpipes. 

644.  Guitar,  called  yue-kin , or  “moon-lyre,”  in  allusion 

to  its  circular  form. 

645.  Kind  of  musical  pipe. 

646.  Kind  of  drum,  called  hvrey-koo. 

647.  Musical  cups,  a part  of  every  Chinese  band  of  music. 

648.  Guitar,  called  peih-ya , an  instrument  in  very  common 

use. 

649.  Plates  of  hard  wood,  on  which  time  is  beaten.  They 

are  also  used  by  beggars  to  produce  a loud  noise 
at  shop  doors,  and  thus  compel  the  inmates  to  be- 
stow a small  sum  of  money  on  them  in  charity. 
The  Chinese  name  is  tcha-pan. 


63 


650.  Violin,  denominated  y e-yin. 

651.  Brass  trumpets. 

652.  A species  of  harp,  called  tchung. 

653.  Brass  horns  that  pull  out  as  a telescope. 

654.  Cymbals,  called  sou-tchow. 

655.  A framework  of  metallic  plates,  each  producing  a dif- 

ferent sound,  and  struck  with  the  small  bamboo 
sticks. 

656.  Trumpets,  as  651. 

657.  Smaller  cymbals. 

658.  Musical  pipe,  as  645. 

659.  Musical  instrument,  cut  out  of  a solid  block  and  hol- 

low, giving  a peculiar  sound  when  beaten  with  a 
stick.  They  are  struck  to  mark  the  intervals  of 
the  religious  services  in  temples,  &c.,  and  to  beat 
time  in  music. 


CASE  XL. 

The  upper  and  middle  sections  of  this  case  are  filled 
with  smaller  articles  of  porcelain ; their  uses  being  appa- 
rent, it  is  not  necessary  to  enumerate  them. 

No.  660.  Two  large  ornamental  frames  of  common  clay, 
a sort  of  figured  brick  work,  used  in  the  decoration 
of  houses  of  the  wealthier  classes. 

661.  Sections  of  figured  porcelain  columns,  to  support  the 
verandas  of  summer-houses. 


CASE  XLI. 

No.  662.  Specimens  of  wrought  iron  nails,  spikes,  &c. 
663.  Three  padlocks  of  curious  construction.  In  this  case 


64 


is  a complete  set  of  carpenters’  and  joiners’  tools, 
from  the  rough  jack-plane  to  the  smaller  tools  for 
the  execution  of  the  finest  carving.  In  China  the 
building  of  a house  and  the  beautiful  embellish- 
ments are  both  executed  by  the  same  workman. 


CASE  XLII. 

The  upper  and  middle  sections  of  this  case  are  filled 
with  small  articles  of  porcelain,  as  in  case  40.  In  the 
lower  part  is  a section  of  ornamented  porcelain,  represent- 
ing the  exterior  of  a summer-house,  with  several  figures  in 
front.  A series  of  these  designs  are  intended  as  a capping 
to  walls  of  houses,  gardens,  &c.  Also  two  grotesque 
lions. 


CASE  XLIII. 

•>£.,  , 'i 

The  upper  and  middle  sections  of  this  case  contain  a 
great  variety  of  specimens  of  the  smaller  kinds  of  porce- 
lain articles,  which  it  is  not  needful  to  specify.  These 
articles  are  all  manufactured  for  home  use  exclusively,  and 
are  in  accordance  with  the  peculiar  national  taste  of  the 
Chinese. 

In  the  lower  section  are  two  beautiful  China  bowls, 
richly  painted  and  gilt.  Between  these  is  a porcelain 
flower-pot  and  stand,  also  painted  and  gilt.  It  is  not  cus- 
tomary to  place  the  mould  in  these  costly  articles,  but  in  a 
flower-pot  of  coarser  ware,  which  is  placed  in  them,  as 
here  represented. 


65 


CASE  XLIV. 

No.  664.  Small  metallic  vase,  inlaid  with  silver. 

665.  Vessel  of  white  porcelain,  for  holding  sweet  scented 

flowers,  representing  a grotesque  animal,  the  head 
of  which  is  so  formed  that  it  can  be  taken  off 
The  flowers  are  placed  in  the  body,  and  the  odour 
is  exhaled  through  the  mouth. 

666.  Broad  rings  worn  upon  the  thumb  by  archers,  in 

shooting  the  bow,  to  prevent  chafing. 

667.  A lady’s  opium  pipe. 

668.  Paper  weight,  of  hard  stone,  sculptured. 

669.  A grotesque  lion  (on  stand)  of  white  porcelain.  This 

kind  of  porcelain  is  held  in  higher  esteem  by  the 
Chinese  than  any  other.  As  a proof  of  this,  it  may 
be  stated  that  the  value  of  this  small  lion  in  China 
was  fifteen  dollars. 

670.  Ornamental  stand  with  gilt  Budha. 

671.  Small  copper  box,  of  peculiar  shape,  to  contain  the 

lime  which  is  used  for  chewing  with  areka  nut  and 
betel  leaf. 

672.  Figure  of  a camel,  in  white  porcelain,  with  a dog  on 

his  back. 

673.  Chinese  combs,  with  maxims. 

674.  Metallic  pipe,  the  lower  part  of  which  is  filled  with 

water,  and  is  smoked  on  the  principle  of  the  hookah 
of  Bengal,  &c. ; tobacco  being  used,  scraped  into 
very  fine  shreds,  and  the  pipe  filled  at  every  in- 
halation by  a servant,  who  stands  behind  the 
smoker. 

675.  Ornamental  stand  with  odoriferous  matches,  which 

are  burned  in  the  houses  of  the  Chinese  night 
stnd  day. 

9 F 2 


66 


676.  Pair  of  spectacles,  of  curious  construction. 

677.  Small  pillows,  used  by  the  Chinese  when  reclining 

on  any  hard  substance. 

678.  Brushes  used  by  house  painters,  with  the  hair  insert- 

ed deep  into  the  handles.  When  worn  down,  the 
wood  is  cut  away  to  expose  the  bristles,  and  the 
operation  is  repeated  until  the  brush  is  worn  out. 

679.  Small  boxes  of  stained  wood,  opening  with  a spring, 

and  covered  with  coloured  straw,  made  at  Loo- 
chow,  the  capital  of  F o-kien  province. 

680.  Small  cases  of  coloured  horse-hair,  intended  to  hold 

sweet  scented  flowers,  and  carried  in  the  hand. 

681 . Brush  used  by  printers  to  apply  the  ink  to  the  wood- 

en blocks,  on  which  is  a smaller  brush,  made  of 
vegetable  fibres,  and  used  for  various  purposes. 

68 2.  Leather  purses  used  by  the  lower  classes. 

683.  Curious  root. 

684.  Writing  pencils.  The  better  kinds  are  protected  by 

a brass  case,  it  being  essential  to  have  a fine 
point  in  writing. 

685.  Curiously  shaped  root. 

686.  Leather  (dog’s  skin)  tobacco  pouch. 

In  the  middle  section  of  this  case  are  various  specimens 
of  fish,  so  prepared  and  preserved  as  to  need  only  their 
natural  element,  to  give  them  the  appearance  of  life. 

687.  Model  of  a machine  for  pounding  rice,  sugar,  &c.  It 

is  put  in  operation  by  a cooley  standing  on  the 
frame,  and  moving  the  lever  with  one  foot. 

688.  Model  of  a hand  mill  for  grinding  rice,  &c. 

689.  Earthen  vessel  in  frame-work  of  bamboo,  used  as 

hand  furnaces. 


67 


CASE  XLY. 

The  porcelain  articles  in  this  case  are  similar  to  those 
in  XLIII.  Their  uses  being  apparent,  it  is  not  necessary 
to  point  them  out  particularly.  Many  of  the  articles  are  of 
rare  beauty,  as  will  be  seen  on  examination. 


CASE  XLYI. 

No.  690.  Porcelain  vessel,  for  holding  rice  or  soup,  of 
beautiful  texture. 

691.  Yery  ancient  porcelain  vessel,  to  hold  soy,  &c. 

69 2.  Beautifully  enamelled  vessel,  (on  copper,)  to  hold 

flowers. 

693.  Enamelled  tea-cup,  cover,  and  stand ; curious,  and  but 

rarely  used. 

In  the  lower  part  of  this  case  are  three  large  dishes, 
being  beautiful  specimens  of  enamel  on  copper.  These 
are  used  at  marriage  entertainments  of  the  wealthy.  There 
are  also  two  large  China  ware  tea-buckets,  used  by  la- 
bourers, &c.  while  engaged  at  their  work. 


CASE  XL VII. 

No.  694.  Three  tea-pots  and  sundry  cups.  The  inside  is 
of  porcelain,  the  outside  of  white  copper.  The 
handles  and  spouts  are  of  valuable  stone.  The 
teapots  are  covered  with  sentences,  expressive  of 
the  excellencies  of  good  tea. 


68 


695.  Porcelain  snuff  bottle,  of  great  beauty,  with  stopper 

of  red  cornelian,  attached  to  which  is  a tortoise- 
shell spoon. 

696.  Perforated  porcelain  vessel,  for  sweet  scented  flowers. 

697.  Do.  do.,  resembling  an  orange. 

698.  Brown  porcelain  pen-holder. 

699.  Singular  and  ancient  tea-pot,  having  no  lid.  The  tea 

is  put  in  at  the  bottom,  and  the  orifice  is  then 
stopped,  the  object  of  which  is  to  prevent  the  es- 
cape of  the  aroma  of  the  tea. 

700.  Very  small  tea-pot  of  brown  porcelain.  This  is  not  a 

toy,  as  it  is  sometimes  supposed  to  be ; but  is  used 
in  making  the  finest  and  most  expensive  kinds  of 
tea ; teas  in  that  country  being  sold  at  prices  vary- 
ing from  a few  cents  to  several  dollars  per  catty. 
The  most  costly  kinds  are  never  exported,  as  they 
would  not  bear  the  exposures  of  a distant  voyage. 

701.  Vessel  to  contain  su-hing,  or  hot  wine,  at  dinners. 

70 2.  Very  ancient  tea-pot,  but  similar  to  the  more  modern, 

except  in  the  handle;  the  outer  surface  being 
cracked  in  the  burning. 

There  is  also  in  the  middle  section  of  this  case  a great 
variety  of  brown  porcelain  tea-pots,  a kind  of  ware  to  which  . 
the  Chinese  are  very  partial. 

In  the  lower  section  are  two  beautiful  China  bowls,  as 
in  Case  XLV.  Also  a figured  tile,  used  for  paving  court- 
yards ; a small  portable  furnace,  of  a fine  kind  of  fire-clay, 
and  two  tea-pots  of  common  ware. 


69 


CASE  XL VIII. 

Export  Case. 

No.  703.  A lady’s  lacquered  work-stand.  The  interior 
furniture  is  of  elaborately  carved  ivory.  This 
stand  and  furniture  afford  a beautiful  specimen  of 
the  skill  and  taste  of  the  Chinese  in  several  of  the 
mechanic  arts. 

704.  A set  of  ladies’  work-tables,  (four  in  number,)  so 

made  as  to  admit  of  being  placed  together  one 
within  the  other. 

705.  A lady’s  lacquered  work-table  of  different  construc- 

tion. 

706.  As  703,  but  of  different  pattern. 

707.  Beautiful  lacquered  writing-desk. 

708.  Elegant  lacquered  box,  for  holding  loose  papers. 

709.  Very  elegant  porcelain  howl  of  enormous  dimensions. 

On  either  side  of  this  bowl  are  arranged  numerous 
porcelain  articles  of  great  beauty- 

710.  Foreign  vessel’s  chop.  This  is  a port-clearance  from 

the  Viceroy  and  Hoppoo.*  It  states  the  captain’s 
name,  the  tonnage  and  cargo  of  the  vessel,  and  the 
compliance,  on  the  part  of  the  former,  with  the  cus- 
tomary port  requisitions.  It  requires  the  com- 
mander of  the  fort  to  allow  the  ship  to  pass  un- 
molested, and,  in  case  of  accident  befalling  her  any- 
where on  Chinese  waters,  it  enjoins  upon  the  man- 
darins to  render  every  aid  in  their  power,  free  of 
all  charges.  This  must  certainly  be  regarded  as 
a liberal  policy.  Before  a chop  can  be  obtained, 
the  Hong  merchant  to  whom  the  vessel  has  been 


* The  hoppoo  is  the  chief  custom-house  officer,  or  collector  of  the  port. 


70 


consigned,  must  certify  to  the  proper  officers  that 
all  the  necessary  conditions  have  been  complied 
with  on  the  part  of  her  officers,  and  that  no  debts 
remain  unpaid. 

71 0J.  Wooden  bellows,  worked  with  a piston,  and  so  con- 
structed as  to  produce  a continuous  blast. 


CASE  XLIX. 

This  case,  with  the  one  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  room 
corresponding  to  it,  is  about  fifteen  feet  high,  and  is  co- 
vered with  an  exact  fac-simile  of  a Chinese  roof,  each  cor- 
ner of  which  terminates  in  a golden  dragon,  from  whose 
fiery  mouth  depends  a bell,  such  as  we  see  in  pictures  and 
models  of  pagodas.  The  dragon  is  an  imperial  emblem  in 
China,  and  this  fact  explains  the  frequency  with  which  we 
see  the  figure  in  their  various  works  of  art.  It  contains, 
and  is  nearly  filled  by  a superb  lamp,  used  only  upon  oc- 
casions of  state.  This  lamp  is  about  ten  feet  in  height,  and 
four  feet  in  diameter  at  the  two  extremities.  The  frame  is 
richly  carved  and  gilt,  and  is  covered  with  crimson  and 
white  silk,  adorned  with  the  most  costly  and  beautiful  em- 
broidery. The  trappings  which  depend  from  the  bottom, 
and  from  a projecting  portion  of  each  corner  of  the  upper 
part,  are  in  keeping  with  the  rest.  There  are  no  less  than 
two  hundred  and  fifty-eight  crimson  silk  tassels,  pendent 
from  various  parts.  In  short,  this  national  lamp  is  as 
magnificent  as  carving,  gilding,  silks,  embroidery,  and  bead- 
work  can  make  it. 

The  bottom  of  the  case  is  covered  with  numerous  speci- 
mens of  fans,  an  article  in  universal  use.  Gentlemen  as 
well  as  ladies  carry  it,  not  laying  it  aside  even  in  cold 
weather. 


71 


CASE  L. 

Natural  History. 

No.  711.  Black  and  white  thrush. 

712.  Superb  kingfisher. 

713.  Owl — near  Canton. 

714.  Least  egret. 

715.  Hina  teal. 

716.  Kingfisher. 

717.  Common  quail,  of  Europe  and  Asia. 

718.  Lark. 

719.  Wry-neck. 

720.  Chinese  goldfinch. 

721.  Rufus-headed  duck. 

722.  Green-winged  teal. 

723.  Crested  duck. 

724.  Oriole. 

725.  Badger  Weasel. 

726.  Weasel. 

727.  Chinese  fox. 


CASE  LI. 

Natural  History. 

No.  728.  Finch,  male  and  female. 

729.  Silver  pheasant,  (male,)  from  the  northern  provinces. 

730.  Wa-mee,  of  the  Chinese.  This  bird  is  much  prized 

for  its  vocal  powers. 


72 


731.  Partridge,  (male  and  female.) 

73 2.  Chinese  black  thrush. 

733.  Young  manis. 

734.  Shrike. 

735.  Rail,  shot  near  Canton. 

736.  Hawfinch,  male  and  female. 

737.  Pin-tail  duck,  (male.) 

738.  Gallinule. 

739.  Porcupine. 

740.  Civet. 


CASE  LII. 

No.  742.  Specimens  of  coloured  satins,  made  near  Canton. 

743.  Coloured  figured  crapes,  for  spring  and  fall  wear. 

744.  Figured  satins,  used  for  lining,  &c. 

745.  Beautiful  specimen  of  silk  manufacture — a piece  of 

coloured  satin,  having  two  faces,  the  one  crimson, 
and  the  other  green. 

746.  Light  coloured  silks,  for  summer  wear. 

747.  Raw  silk. 

748.  Coloured  silks,  for  linings. 

749.  Damask  silk,  for  winter  wear. 

750.  Figured  silk,  for  edgings  of  garments. 

751.  Figured  silk,  for  winter  wear. 

752.  Figured  summer  silk. 

753.  do.  do.  do. 


73 


CASE  LIII. 

Natural  History . 

No.  754.  Dial  bird. 

755.  Ring  pheasants,  (male  and  female.) 

756.  Partridge,  (male.) 

757.  Oriole. 

758.  Quail. 

759.  Black  and  white  kingfisher. 

760.  Species  of  cuckoo. 

761.  Chinese  shrike,  a very  ferocious  bird,  and  very  com- 

mon. 

162.  Gallinule. 

763.  Quail. 

764.  White  bellied  duck. 

765.  Mandarin  duck.  This  bird  deserves  special  notice, 

from  the  brilliancy  of  its  plumage  and  the  singular- 
ity of  its  wings.  Its  disposition,  too,  is  as  remark- 
able as  its  beauty.  The  female  never  mates  a 
second  time.  An  interesting  anecdote,  illustrative 
of  this  fact,  is  related  by  Davis.  Of  a pair  of 
these  birds  in  Mr.  Beal’s  aviary  at  Macao,  the 
drake  happened  one  night  to  be  stolen.  The 
duck  was  perfectly  inconsolable,  like  Calypso  after 
the  departure  of  Ulysses.  She  retired  into  a 
corner,  neglected  her  food  and  person,  refused  all 
society,  and  rejected  with  disdain  the  proffer  of  a 
second  love.  In  a few  days,  the  purloined  drake 
was  recovered  and  brought  back.  The  mutual  de- 
monstrations of  joy  were  excessive,  and,  what  is 
more  singular,  the  true  husband,  as  if  informed  by 
his  partner  of  what  had  happened  in  his  absence, 
10  G 


74 


pounced  upon  the  would-be  lover,  tore  out  his  eyes, 
and  injured  him  so  much  that  he  soon  after  died 
of  his  wounds. 

766.  Boa  constrictor,  13  feet  long,  and  wild  cat  of  China. 


Lamps  and  Lanterns . 

These  depend  from  the  ceiling  in  all  parts  of  the  saloon, 
and  are  of  almost  every  imaginable  form  and  size.  In 
scarcely  any  thing  do  the  taste  and  ingenuity  of  the  Chi- 
nese appear  to  better  advantage  than  in  the  manufacture 
of  these  curious  and  characteristic  articles.  They  are 
made  of  horn,  silk,  glass,  paper,  and  sometimes  of  a netting 
of  fine  thread  overspread  with  a thick  coating  of  varnish. 
The  frame-work  is  often  carved  in  the  richest  manner ; the 
silk  which  covers  it  is  elegantly  embroidered  or  painted 
with  landscapes  representing  nature  in  her  gayest  moods, 
and  the  various  decorations  lavished  upon  them  are  in  a 
corresponding  style.  As  a national  ornament,  peculiar  to 
the  Chinese,  the  lantern  does  not  give  place  to  any  thing 
found  in  any  other  country. 

The  fondness  of  the  Chinese  for  lamps  and  lanterns,  and 
the  universal  use  of  them,  constitutes  one  of  the  marked 
peculiarities  in  the  customs  of  the  race.  The  “ Stranger 
in  China'’  remarks,  that  a Chinaman  and  his  lantern  seem 
wedded  together,  and  the  former  is  rarely  found  without 
the  latter.  They  are  placed  in  the  streets,  temples,  boats, 
&c.,  and  are  always  to  be  seen  in  the  hands  of  the  pedes- 
trians after  dark.  The  same  writer  relates  the  following 
amusing  anecdote,  as  affording  a striking  and  original  ex- 
emplification of  both  the  power  of  habit  and  the  national 
peculiarity  above  referred  to.  When  Captain  Maxwell 
passed  the  Bogue  in  the  Alceste  frigate,  as  he  came  up 


75 


with  the  battery  of  Annahoy,  the  fort  appeared  well  light- 
ed, and  a brisk  cannonade  was  commenced  upon  the  ship. 
However,  after  the  first  broadside  had  been  fired  upon  the 
fortress,  and  when  the  vessel  was  scarcely  a half  musket- 
shot  from  it,  the  whole  place  was  deserted,  and  the  embra- 
sures were  quickly  as  dark  as  before.  The  Chinese  were 
thoroughly  frightened,  and  ran  off  with  a most  edifying 
precipitation.  At  the  same  time,  instead  of  concealing 
their  flight  in  the  darkness  of  the  night,  each  man  seized 
his  lantern,  as  he  had  done  a hundred  times  before,  and 
clambered  with  it  up  the  steep  side  of  the  hill  immediately 
behind  the  fort.  The  sight  of  so  many  bald-pated  soldiers, 
with  their  long  pig-tails  dangling  at  their  back,  each  with 
a great  painted  balloon  in  his  hand,  was  extremely  ludi- 
crous* and  took  away  any  slight  inclination  the  marines 
might  have  had  to  get  a shot  with  their  muskets  at  such 
excellent  marks. 

The  lamp  oil  in  common  use  is  extracted  from  the 
ground-nut,  so  abundant  among  us,  which  grows  luxuri- 
antly in  China.  The  same  kind  is  used  for  culinary  pur- 
poses^ and  supplies  almost  entirely  the  place  of  butter.  It 
is  said  to  be  of  a very  good  quality,  burning  freely,  and 
with  but  little  smoke. 


Maxims  on  the  Entablatures. 

The  visiter  will  observe  that  over  the  capital  of  each 
pillar  is  a piece  of  carving  of  circular  form,  gilt  and  paint 
ed  vermilion  and  green  alternately.  There  are  ten  of 
these  on  each  side  of  the  saloon.  Each  has  a Chinese 
character  carved  in  the  centre.  The  characters  on  the 
right  to  a person  entering,  form  the  following  maxim : — 
Kwa  tien  po  na  ly  : ly  hia  po  ching  kwan.  The  interpre- 


76 


tation  of  which  is,  In  a field  of  melons,  do  not  pull  up 
your  shoe  : under  a plum  tree,  do  not  adjust  your  cap  : i.  e., 
be  very  careful  of  your  actions  under  circumstances  of  sus- 
picion. 

The  characters  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  room,  com- 
mencing from  the  lower  end,  form  the  following  maxim : 

Loo  yaou  chy  ma  lie  : je  kew  kien  jin  sin.  The  interpre- 
tation of  which  is,  By  a long  journey  we  know  a horse’s 
strength ; so  length  of  days  shows  a man’s  heart. 

Between  these  circular  carvings  are  maxims  placed  hori- 
zontally, and  extending  around  the  whole  entablature.  As 
is  customary  in  China,  the  maxims  here  placed  opposite  to 
each  other,  are  embellished  exactly  alike,  though  the 
maxims  themselves  are  not  the  same.  It  is  unnecessary  to 
give  the  interpretation  of  all  these,  as  there  are  so  many. 
A few  are  subjoined  as  a specimen.  “ As  the  scream  of 
the  eagle  is  heard  when  she  has  passed  over:  so  a man’s 
name  remains  after  his  death.” — “Though  a tree  be  a 
thousand  change  in  height,  its  leaves  must  fall  down,  and 
return  to  its  root.” — -“Following  virtue  is  like  ascending  a 
steep : following  vice  like  rushing  down  a precipice.” — 
“ Man  perishes  in  the  pursuit  of  wealth,  as  a bird  meets 
with  destruction  in  search  of  its  food.” — “The  cure  of  ig- 
norance is  study,  as  meat  is  that  of  hunger.” — “ Unsullied 
poverty  is  always  happy ; while  impure  wealth  brings  with 
it  many  sorrows.” — “ Petty  distinctions  are  injurious  to 
rectitude;  quibbling  words  violate  right  reason.”— “ Those 
who  respect  themselves  will  be  honourable ; but  he  who 
thinks  lightly  of  himself,  will  be  held  cheap  by  the  world.” 
— “ Virtue  is  the  surest  road  to  longevity;  but  vice  meets 
with  an  early  doom.” 


* A chang  is  ten  Chinese  cubits,  each  fourteen  and  a half  inches. 


77 


Fainting  s. 

[The  enumeration  of  pictures  in  the  collection  com- 
mences with  No.  780,  which  the  visiter  will  find  under  the 
portrait  of  the  reigning  Empress  of  China,  on  the  first  pil- 
lar to  the  left,  on  entering  the  saloon.] 

The  fine  arts  in  China  are  undoubtedly  far  from  having 
reached  the  perfection  that  belongs  to  them  in  the  enlight- 
ened nations  of  Christendom ; yet  an  examination  of  the 
paintings  in  this  collection,  will  satisfy  every  candid  mind 
that  great  injustice  has  been  done  to  Chinese  artists,  in  the 
notions  hitherto  entertained  respecting  their  want  of  ability 
and  skill.  They  paint  insects,  birds,  fishes,  fruits,  flowers, 
and  the  like,  with  great  correctness  and  beauty ; and  the 
brilliancy  and  variety  of  their  colours  cannot  be  surpassed. 
They  group  with  considerable  taste  and  effect;  and  their 
perspective,  a department  of  the  art  in  which  they  have 
been  thought  totally  deficient,  is  often  very  good.  Shad- 
ing they  do  not  well  understand,  and  they  positively  object 
to  the  introduction  of  shadows  in  pictures.  Barrow,  as 
quoted  by  Davis,  says,  that  “ when  several  portraits  by  the 
best  European  artists,  intended  as  presents  for  the  em- 
peror, were  exposed  to  view,  the  mandarins,  observing  the 
variety  of  tints  occasioned  by  the  light  and  shade,  asked 
whether  the  originals  had  the  two  sides  of  different  colours. 
They  considered  the  shadow  of  the  nose  as  a great  imper- 
fection in  the  figure,  and  some  supposed  it  to  have  been 
placed  there  by  accident.” 

No.  780.  Birds  beautifully  painted  on  rice  paper.  This 
paper  is  the  pith  of  a tree  growing  in  China,  simi 
lar  to  the  elder. 

781.  Six  boats  of  different  kinds,  on  rice  paper. 

78 2.  Stands,  with  vases. 

g 2 


78 


783  and  784.  Two  views  of  Ponkeiqua’s  grounds. 

785.  Six  boats,  on  rice  paper. 

786.  View  of  Whampoa  Reach,  and  Village. 

The  point  from  which  this  view  is  taken,  is  French 
island,  a small  portion  of  which  appears  in  the  foreground. 
Supposing  the  visiter  to  occupy  this  position  : immediately 
before  him  is  Whampoa  Reach,  in  which  several  foreign 
vessels  are  riding  at  anchor,  and  Whampoa  island,  with  its 
walled  town,  its  plantations  of  rice,  sugar-cane,  &c.,  its 
orange  groves,  and  its  picturesque  and  lofty  pagoda  crown- 
ing a distant  eminence.  Beyond  appear  the  winding  chan- 
nel called  Junk  River,  the  level  coast,  and  the  far-off 
mountains,  that  swell  out,  in  undulating  outline,  to  the 
northward  of  Canton.  The  view  represented  in  this  pic- 
ture is  extensive  and  beautiful,  and  the  execution  of  the 
painting  is  creditable  to  the  skill  of  the  artist. 

Whampoa  Reach,  the  southern  channel,  is  the  anchorage 
of  all  foreign  shipping.  It  is  twelve  miles  from  Canton. 
The  cargoes  imported  are  here  unladed,  and  taken  up  to 
the  factories  in  a kind  of  lighter,  called  chops ; and  what- 
ever is  to  be  exported  is  brought  down  in  the  same  way. 

787.  View  of  the  city  of  Canton. 

A glance  at  this  production  will  correct  a prevalent  error 
respecting  the  inability  of  Chinese  painters  to  produce  per- 
spective. Though  light  and  shade  are  certainly  a good 
deal  neglected  here,  and  the  perspective  is  not  perfect,  yet 
the  picture  is  by  no  means  deficient  in  this  regard ; and  the 
drawings  of  individual  objects  are  extremely  accurate.  The 
point  from  which  the  view  has  been  taken  is  the  bank  of 
the  river  opposite  Canton,  directly  in  front  of  the  foreign 
factories,  which  occupy  about  one-half  the  canvass.  The 
scene,  particularly  upon  the  surface  of  the  intervening 
river,  is  altogether  novel  to  American  eyes,  and  highly 
characteristic.  The  national  boats,  of  which  there  is  a 


79 


very  great  variety,  have  all  their  representatives  here,  from 
the  gaudy  flower  barge,  in  which  large  parties  are  borne 
gayly  over  the  waters,  to  the  tiny  sanpan,  whose  contracted 
dimensions  will  admit  only  a single  navigator.  This  part 
of  the  view  is  peculiarly  animated  and  interesting.  The 
foreign  factories  occupy  the  central  part  of  the  picture,  and 
the  English,  French,  and  American  ensigns  float  gayly 
above  them.  On  each  side  of  these  is  a view  of  a small 
portion  of  Canton  bordering  upon  the  river ; but  as  the  city 
is  built  upon  low  and  flat  ground,  almost  the  whole  of  it  is 
invisible  from  our  present  point  of  observation. 

788 — 791.  Four  views  in  water-colours,  representing  the 
interior  of  gentlemen’s  country  seats,  in  one  of 
which  (790)  is  presented  a specimen  of  their  pri- 
vate theatrical  entertainments. 

79 2.  View  of  Honam,  a village  on  the  south  side  of  Pearl 
river,  over  against  Canton.  This  village  is  chiefly 
celebrated  for  its  extensive  and  magnificent  temple 
of  Budha,  the  richest  religious  establishment  in 
this  part  of  the  empire.  No  part  of  the  splendid 
structure  is  visible  in  the  painting,  which  is  mainly 
interesting  as  affording  the  best  view  of  river  life 
in  the  collection.  This  is  a mode  of  existence  pe- 
culiar to  the  Chinese.  The  people  of  other  nations 
resort  to  the  water  for  purposes  of  gain,  warfare, 
health,  or  pleasure,  for  a season,  but  they  never 
cease  to  regard  the  land  as  their  natural  and  per- 
manent dwelling-place.  They  would  be  miserable 
if  they  believed  themselves  confined  for  life  to 
floating  habitations,  whatever  temporary  attractions 
these  might  possess.  But  millions  on  millions  of 
people  in  China  are  born,  vegetate,  and  die,  upon  the 
bosom  of  its  numerous  streams.  They  occasionally 
make  a “ cruise  on  shore,”  but  they  return  to  the 
water  as  their  natural  home  and  element.  It  is  com- 


80 


puted  that  there  are  not  less  than  40,000  dwelling 
boats  within  the  immediate  neighbourhood  of  Can- 
ton. These  are  arranged  in  regular  streets,  which 
are  lighted  up  at  night.  Besides  the  boats  used  as 
habitations,  the  river  is  covered  with  innumerable 
craft  in  perpetual  motion ; yet  such  is  the  skill 
with  which  they  are  managed,  and  the  peaceable- 
ness of  the  boatmen,  that  jostlings  rarely  occur, 
and  quarrels  are  almost  unknown. 

The  visiter  will  observe,  on  the  window-sill  in 
this  corner  of  the  saloon,  two  specimens  of  Chinese 
windows.  The  substance  used  for  transmitting 
the  light  is  mother-of-pearl.  A variety  of  other 
substances  is  employed  for  the  same  purpose,  as 
mica,  horn,  paper,  silk  gauze,  &c.  Glass  windows 
are  seldom  seen.  There  is  a frame-work  in  front 
of  the  translucent  substance,  dividing  it  into  small 
panes  of  various  shapes.  This  is  the  general  style  of 
Chinese  windows,  but  the  passion  of  the  people  for 
variety  leads  them  to  adopt  an  endless  diversity  of 
patterns,  as  any  one  may  easily  assure  himself  by 
examining  divers  of  the  paintings  in  this  collection. 

793.  Six  specimens  of  fishes,  beautifully  painted. 

794.  Lady  of  rank  in  sedan,  carried  by  bearers. 

795.  Stands  with  ornaments. 

796.  Portrait  of  Houqua,  principal  of  the  Hong  merchants. 

797.  Chinese  furniture. 

798.  Splendid  specimen  of  flowers  in  water  colours. 

799.  Section  of  the  Great  Wall  separating  China  from 

Tartary. 

800.  Imperial  hall  of  audience,  at  Peking. 

801.  Ornamental  stands,  vases,  &c. 

802.  Warrior,  in  full  dress,  with  bow,  quiver,  &c. 

803.  The  first  of  a series  of  coloured  drawings  (twenty-four 

in  number)  representing  the  several  stages  of  the 
tea  process,  as  practised  in  Fokien,  a province  in 


81 


the  interior  of  China.  These  paintings  are  in  the 
recesses  of  this  and  the  five  windows  next  in  or- 
der, there  being  four  in  each  recess.  They  com- 
prehend the  following  numbers : — 803,  804,  808, 
809,  821,  822,  8 26,  827,  841,  842,  846,  847,  857, 
858,  862,  863,  874,  875,  879,  880,  890,  891,  895, 
896. 

805 — 807.  Interior  views  of  temples. 

810.  Six  fishes,  beautifully  painted. 

811.  Mandarin  in  chair,  with  eight  bearers  and  other  at- 

tendants. 

812.  Stands  with  ornaments. 

813.  Portrait  of  Tingqua  Ponkeiqua,  a Hong  merchant. 

814.  Furniture  and  maxims. 

815.  Splendid  specimen  of  flowers. 

816.  The  first  of  a series  of  twelve  paintings,  representing 

the  tea  process  in  the  province  of  Keang-nan,  in 
the  interior  of  China.  This  is  a view  of  the  pre- 
paration of  the  ground  for  sowing. 

817.  Second  view  of  the  above  tea  process,  representing 

labourers  sowing  the  seed. 

818.  Stands,  vases,  &c. 

819.  Lady  in  walking  dress,  with  small  feet. 

820.  Mandarin  of  the  1st  class,  and  wife. 

823 — *8 25.  Views  of  the  exterior  of  temples. 

828.  Six  fishes. 

829.  Sedan,  with  lady  of  rank,  and  bearers. 

830.  Cabinet,  table,  &c. 

831.  Furniture  of  various  kinds. 

832.  Mandarin  of  the  imperial  household. 

833.  Furniture  and  maxims. 

834.  Basket  of  flowers,  exquisitely  coloured. 

835.  Third  view  of  the  Keang-nan  tea  process,  representing 

the  irrigation  of  the  trees. 

836.  Fourth  view:  women  picking  the  leaves. 

837.  Mandarin  in  full  costume,  bearing  the  joo-ee,  or  sceptre 

11 


82 


838.  Warrior  in  winter  dress,  with  despatches  or  chop  in 

his  hand. 

839.  Warrior,  fully  equipped,  with  lady. 

840.  Lady  of  rank  in  rich  dress. 

843  and  844.  Exterior  views  of  temples. 

845.  Out  building  of  a temple  at  Honam,  in  which  the 
sacred  pigs  are  kept. 

848.  Fishes. 

849.  Mandarin  in  sedan,  with  bearers  and  attendants. 

850  and  851.  Furniture. 

852.  Flowers. 

853.  Fifth  view  of  the  Keang-nan  tea  process:  females  twist- 

ing the  leaves,  preparatory  to  firing. 

854.  Sixth  view  as  above.  Females  sorting  leaves. 

855.  Mandarin  in  splendid  costume. 

856.  Lady  smoking. 

859,  860,  and  861.  Interior  of  temples. 

864.  Fish. 

865.  Lady  of  rank  in  palanquin,  and  bearers,  &c. 

866.  Furniture. 

867.  Portrait  of  Shonshing,  an  eminent  merchant  of  Can- 

ton. 

868.  Chinese  bedstead,  furniture,  &c. 

869.  Basket  of  flowers. 

870.  Seventh  view  of  the  Keang-nan  tea  process  : coolies 

bringing  in  the  leaves  from  the  trees. 

871 . Eighth  view  as  above : — sifting  and  sorting  the  leaves. 

872.  Ornamental  stands,  &c. 

873.  Mandarin. 

876 — 878.  Views  of  Chinese  buildings. 

881.  Specimens  of  fishes. 

882.  Government  officer,  with  bearers. 

883.  Furniture. 

884.  Imperial  mandarin. 

885.  Furniture. 

886.  Flowers. 


83 

887.  Ninth  view  of  the  Keang-nan  tea  process preparation 

of  samples. 

888.  Tenth  view,  as  above  : — drying  the  leaves  on  plates 

of  iron,  and  not  of  copper,  as  is  erroneously  sup- 
posed. 

889.  Lady  of  rank,  with  small  feet. 

892 — 894.  Views  of  various  buildings,  in  the  centre 
one  of  which  are  dwarf  trees,  for  which  the  Chi- 
nese are  so  celebrated. 

897.  Fishes. 

898.  Furniture. 

899.  Lady  superbly  dressed. 

900.  Furniture. 

901.  Flowers. 

902.  Eleventh  view  of  the  Keang-nan  tea  process  : arrival 

of  the  city  merchant  in  the  interior  of  the  country 
for  the  purchase  of  teas  for  foreign  markets. 

903.  Twelfth  view  as  above : interior  of  a Hong  in  Can- 

* ton : packing,  weighing,  and  shipping  teas  for 
Whampoa. 

904.  Fishes. 

905.  Six  specimens  of  paintings  on  glass,  representing  va- 

rious scenes. 

906.  Small  screen,  with  pannels  of  a species  of  marble, 

called  rice  stone,  painted  and  adorned  with  max- 
ims. 

907 — 909.  Three  views  of  temples. 

910.  View  of  the  interior  of  the  Consoo  House,  with  the 
court  in  session,  for  the  final  decision  of  the  charge 
of  piracy  committed  by  the  crew  of  a Chinese  junk, 
on  a French  captain  and  sailors,  at  a short  dis- 
from  Macao. 

The  French  ship  Navigatre,  put  into  Cochin-China  in 
distress.  Having  disposed  of  her  to  the  government,  the 
captain,  with  his  crew,  took  passage  for  Macao,  in  a Chi- 
nese junk,  belonging  to  the  province  of  Fokien.  Part  of 


84 


their  valuables  consisted  of  about  8100,000  in  specie.  Four 
Chinese  passengers  bound  for  Macao,  and  one  for  F olden, 
were  also  on  board.  This  last  apprized  the  Frenchmen, 
in  the  best  way  he  could,  that  the  crew  of  the  junk  had 
entered  into  a conspiracy  to  take  their  lives,  and  seize 
their  treasure.  He  urged  that  an  armed  watch  should  be 
kept.  On  making  the  Ladrone  Islands,  the  four  Macao 
passengers  left  the  junk.  Here  the  Frenchmen  believed 
themselves  out  of  danger,  and,  exhausted  by  sickness  and 
long  watching,  yielded  to  a fatal  repose.  They  were  all 
massacred  but  one,  a youth  of  about  nineteen  years  of  age, 
who  escaped  by  leaping  into  the  sea,  after  receiving  several 
wounds.  A fishing  boat  picked  him  up,  and  landed  him 
at  Macao,  where  information  was  given  to  the  officers  of 
government ; and  the  crew  of  the  junk,  with  their  ill-gotten 
gains,  were  seized  on  arriving  at  their  port  of  destination 
in  Fokien.  Having  been  found  guilty  by  the  court  in  their 
own  district,  they  were  sent  down  to  Canton  by  order  of 
the  emperor,  to  the  Unchat-see , (criminal  judge,)  to  be  con- 
fronted with  the  young  F rench  sailor.  This  trial  is  repre- 
sented in  the  painting.  The  prisoners  were  taken  out  of 
their  cages,  as  seen  in  the  foreground.  The  Frenchman 
recognised  seventeen  out  of  the  twenty-four,  but  when  the 
passenger  who  had  been  his  friend  was  brought  in,  the  two 
eagerly  embraced  each  other,  which  scene  is  also  portrayed 
in  the  painting.  An  explanation  of  this  extraordinary  act 
was  made  to  the  judge,  and  the  man  forthwith  set  at 
liberty.  A purse  was  made  up  for  him  by  the  Chinese  and 
foreigners,  and  he  was  soon  on  his  way  homeward.  The 
seventeen  were  decapitated  in  a few  days,  in  the  presence 
of  the  foreigners;  the  captain  was  put  to  a “.lingering 
death,”  the  punishment  of  traitors ; and  the  stolen  trea- 
sures were  restored. 

911  and  912.  Paintings  on  “ rice  paper”  representing  the 
twelve  stages  of  the  silk  process,  from  the  egg  to 
the  weaving  of  the  silk. 


85 

913  and  914.  Views  of  temples. 

915.  Flowers. 

916.  View  of  the  entrance  to  Ponkeiqua’s  grounds  at  Honam. 

917.  View  of  a Chinese  dwelling. 

918.  Stands  with  fruit,  flowers,  &c.,  on  rice  paper. 

919.  Interior  of  an  apartment  in  Monqua’s  country-seat  at 

Honam. 

920.  Warrior  and  lady,  in  full  costume. 

921.  Four  drawings  on  rice  paper,  representing  mandarins 

and  their  ladies. 

922.  Flowers  and  fruit. 

923.  Birds. 

924.  Fruit,  flowers,  &c.  (tea-plant.) 

925.  Variety  of  birds  on  rice  paper. 

926.  Stands,  with  fruit,  flowers,  &c.,  on  rice  paper. 

927.  View  of  an  apartment  in  Monqua’s  country-seat. 

928.  Mandarin  and  lady,  superbly  dressed. 

929.  Mandarins  and  ladies. 

930.  Flowers. 

931.  Shells,  on  rice  paper. 

932.  Beautiful  specimen  of  embroidery  on  satin,  worked  by 

men. 

933.  Birds  and  boats,  on  rice  paper. 

934 — 937.  Four  views  representing  a funeral  procession. 
The  visiter  will  observe  that  the  corpse  is  placed 
in  the  rear,  contrary  to  the  practice  with  us. 

938.  Marble  screen,  as  906. 

939.  F our  pictures,  representing  lamps  of  various  patterns. 

940.  Chinese  landscape. 

941.  Interior  of  temple  at  Honam,  with  Budha  priests  at 

worship.  The  three  idols  in  this  temple  are  twenty 
feet  in  height. 

942  and  943.  Fishes. 

944.  Furniture,  maxims,  &c. 

945.  Flowers. 

946  and  947.  Officers  and  ladies. 

H 


86 


948.  Furniture. 

949.  Mandarin  in  full  dress. 

950.  River  view,  with  fort  in  the  distance. 

951.  Do.  do.,  with  chop-house,  for  the  examination  of 

chops  or  passports. 

952.  View  of  an  engagement  by  moonlight,  between  re- 

venue officers  and  smugglers. 

953.  Vessel  in  a “ typhoon,”  or  great  wind. 

954.  Mandarins  and  ladies  superbly  dressed,  painted  on 

rice  paper. 

955.  Birds. 

956.  Native  map  of  China. 

957.  Landscape. 

958.  Exterior  of  Budha  temple,  at  Honam. 

959.  Flowers. 

960.  Mandarin  in  winter  dress,  with  bearers,  &c. 

961.  Lady  smoking. 

962.  Elegant  chair  and  screen. 

963.  Flowers. 

964.  Warrior  with  quiver,  &c.  with  lady,  seated  on  port- 

able chairs. 

965.  Mandarins  and  ladies. 

966.  Furniture. 

967.  Lady  of  rank,  with  small  feet. 

968  and  969.  Two  winter  pieces. 

970.  Ladies  at  play. 

971.  Lady’s  boudoir  and  bed-room. 

971  \ . Mandarins  in  state  dresses,  painted  on  rice  paper. 

972.  Banyan  tree. 

973.  Party  of  ladies,  Sec. 

974.  Winter  piece. 

975 — 977.  Female  pastimes. 

978.  Landscape. 

979.  Second  gateway  to  the  temple  at  Honam. 

980.  Flowers  and  fruit. 

981.  Lady  of  rank  in  palanquin,  with  bearers,  Sec. 


87 


982.  Stands,  with  ornaments. 

983.  Old  lady,  superbly  dressed. 

984.  Couch,  fruit  stand,  &c. 

985.  Flowers. 

986.  Mandarin  and  lady. 

987.  Two  mandarins,  with  ladies. 

988.  Furniture. 

989.  Portrait  of  a celebrated  Chinese  beauty. 

990.  Portrait  of  a noted  money-broker  at  Canton. 

991  and  992.  Landscapes. 

993.  River  view. 

994.  Do.,  and  fort  in  the  distance. 

995  and  997.  Two  river  views. 

996  and  998.  Beautiful  specimens  of  painting  on  glass. 

999.  Bridge  near  Canton. 

1000.  First  gateway  to  the  temple  at  Honam. 

1001.  Flowers  and  fruit. 

1002.  Emperor  of  China,  borne  by  sixteen  officers. 

1003.  Mandarin  in  splendid  costume. 

1004.  Lady  in  splendid  costume,  with  large  feet. 

1005.  Furniture,  lamps,  &c. 

1006.  Flowers. 

1007.  Nobleman  and  his  wife  in  winter  costume,  the  latter 

with  a hand  furnace. 

1008.  Two  mandarins  and  ladies. 

1009.  Furniture. 

1010.  River  scene. 

1011.  View  of  a gentleman’s  summer  residence  and  gardens. 

1012.  Two  Indian  ink  drawings,  representing  a military 

review  by  the  emperor. 

1013.  Four  views,  representing  military  evolutions. 

1014.  Chinese  bridge. 

1015.  View  on  Lob  creek,  near  Whampoa. 

1016.  Flowers  and  fruit. 

1017.  Empress  of  China  in  a car,  drawn  by  two  horses, 

and  attended  by  female  musicians. 


88 


1018.  Mandarin  in  state  dress,  bearing  the  joo-ee. 

1019.  Lady  in  walking  habit. 

1020.  Mandarin  and  lady. 

1021.  Do.  of  the  first  class,  in  fur  dress. 

1022.  Furniture,  &c. 

1023.  Flowers. 

1024.  Mandarin  and  lady  in  state  chairs,  with  beautiful 

screens. 

1025.  Officers  and  their  wives. 

1026  and  1027.  Furniture  and  stands,  &c. 

1028.  Mandarin  bearing  imperial  despatches  in  a yellow 

silk  envelope,  at  his  back. 

1029.  Chinese  pleasure-grounds. 

1030.  Landscape,  with  summer-houses. 

1031.  Inundation  of  rice-grounds. 

1032.  Four  water  pieces. 

1033.  Water  view,  with  bridge. 

1034.  Scene  near  the  second  bar  on  the  Canton  river,  with 

pagoda  in  the  distance. 

1035.  Flowers. 

1036.  Lady  of  rank  on  horseback,  with  military  attend- 

ants. 

1037.  Furniture,  &c. 

1038.  Lady  with  small  feet. 

1039.  Mandarin  bearing  the  imperial  despatches,  and  lady. 

1040.  Table,  Chinese  candles,  screen,  &c. 

1041.  Flowers. 

1042.  Golden  island  in  the  Yang-tse  Kiang. 

1043.  View  of  the  grand  canal,  where  it  is  divided  by  an 

embankment  from  Lake  Pao-Yng. 

1044.  Stands,  fruits,  &c. 

1045.  Portrait  of  Tingqua,  merchant  of  Canton. 

1046.  Chinese  pleasure  garden,  &c. 

1047.  Representation  of  the  Feast  of  Lanterns,  by  moon- 

light. 

1048  and  1049.  Chinese  summer-houses,  grounds,  &c. 


89 


1050.  Four  river  views. 

1051.  View  of  the  great  wall  dividing  China  from  Tar- 

tary. 

1052.  View  of  Pinckou,  near  Canton. 

1053.  Flowers. 

1054.  Imperial  mandarin  and  suite. 

1055.  Stands,  ornaments,  &c. 

1056.  Mandarin  saluting. 

1057.  State  chair,  screen,  &c. 

1058.  Flowers. 

1059.  Mandarin  on  horseback,  bearing  despatches  from 

the  emperor. 

1060.  Entrance  to  the  city  of  Pekin  on  the  west. 

1061.  Furniture,  ornaments,  &c. 

1062.  Budha  high-priest,  officiating  at  the  temple  at  Ho- 

nam. 

1063.  Picture  of  a marriage  procession.  The  bride  is 

carried  in  a gaudy  chair,  adorned  with  flowers, 
and  preceded  by  a lengthened  train  of  attendants, 
clad  in  garments  of  various  colours.  There  are 
not  less  than  a dozen  sedan  chairs  in  the  proces- 
sion, filled  with  presents  to  the  bride.  These 
constitute  her  whole  marriage  dowry.  The  per- 
sons composing  the  train  are  hired  for  the  occa- 
sion. 

There  are  large  establishments  in  China,  provided  with 
men,  chairs,  and  dresses,  to  be  hired  out  for  escorts  of  this 
kind.  The  dresses  and  sedans  range  through  all  the  de- 
grees of  costliness  and  elegance.  Articles  of  this  kind, 
more  or  less  expensive,  and  a more  or  less  numerous  train 
of  attendants,  are  employed,  according  to  the  rank  and 
wealth  of  the  parties  to  be  united.  Houqua,  the  rich  Hong 
merchant,  expended  over  $50,000  on  a daughter’s  wedding, 
including  the  bridal  presents.  Live  geese  are  always 
among  the  presents,  and  they  are  carried  in  the  procession, 
being  considered,  apparently  without  any  good  foundation, 
12  h 2 


90 


patterns  of  concord  and  fidelity  in  the  married  state.  The 
beautiful  mandarin  duck,  already  described,  would  be  a 
fitter  emblem.  When  the  bride  reaches  the  residence  of 
her  lord,  she  is  lifted  by  matrons  over  a pan  of  charcoal, — 
a usage  the  exact  import  of  which  is  not  understood.  Va- 
rious ceremonies  follow,  which  end  in  the  husband  unveil- 
ing his  bride,  whom  he  now  sees  for  the  first  time,  and 
drinking  with  her  the  cup  of  alliance. 

Marriages  are  promoted  by  every  consideration  that  can 
act  upon  the  human  mind.  The  national  maxim  is,  that 
“ there  are  three  great  acts  of  disregard  to  parents,  and  to 
die  without  progeny  is  the  chief.”  The  barrenness  of  a 
wife  is  therefore  regarded  as  a great  calamity,  and  is  one 
of  the  seven  grounds  of  divorce  allowed  to  a Chinese  hus- 
band, notwithstanding  there  would  seem  to  he  an  all-suffi- 
cient remedy  in  legal  concubinage.  The  six  other  causes 
of  separation  are,  adultery,  talkativeness,  thieving,  ill- 
temper,  and  inveterate  infirmities. 

A lucky  day  for  the  marriage  rites  is  considered  impor- 
tant. On  this  point,  recourse  is  had  to  astrology,  and  the 
horoscopes  of  the  parties  are  diligently  compared.  Some- 
times the  ceremony  is  postponed  for  months,  because  the 
stars  are  not  propitious. 

1064 — -1067.  Four  drawings  of  the  interior  of  gentlemen’s 
summer  residences  in  China. 

1068.  Picture  of  the  Bocca  Tigris.  The  Bocca  Tigris  is 
the  entrance  of  the  Canton  river,  and  is  so  called 
from  the  appearance  of  one  of  the  islands  in  front 
of  it.  It  is,  as  described  by  Weddel,  the  first 
Englishman  who  approached  it,  “a  goodly  inlet,” 
flanked  on  each  side  by  mountains  and  fortresses. 
The  latter  appear  formidable,  but,  owing  to  an 
entire  want,  on  the  part  of  the  Chinese,  of  a 
knowledge  of  gunnery,  and  to  other  causes,  they 
are  without  any  real  efficiency.  They  have  been 


91 


repeatedly  passed  without  difficulty  by  English 
men-of-war. 

1069.  Picture  of  Macao.  This  is  by  the  same  artist,  and 

of  the  same  dimensions,  as  the  Picture  of  Canton, 
already  described.  It  is  a view  of  Macao,  as  it 
appears  from  the  harbour.  The  town  is  hand- 
somely situated  on  a steep  declivity,  and  protect- 
ed, as  it  were,  in  the  rear  by  a mountain  wall. 
One  of  the  neighbouring  summits  is  crowned  with 
a Portuguese  church,  which  shows  like  a fortress 
in  the  distance.  The  effect  must  be  imposing  in 
approaching  by  sea,  as  nearly  the  whole  city  is 
visible,  and  of  a prepossessing  appearance.  Macao 
is  a place  of  some  importance ; and  interesting  on 
several  accounts.  It  belongs  nominally  to  the 
Portuguese,  to  whom  the  privilege  of  building  a 
town  there  was  granted  about  two  hundred  and 
fifty  years  ago,  in  consideration  of  services  ren- 
dered in  clearing  the  Chinese  waters  of  a des- 
perate gang  of  pirates;  but  the  government  is 
really  in  the  hands  of  the  viceroy  at  Canton. 
Here  all  foreign  merchantmen,  bound  to  Canton, 
have  to  procure  a chop , or  permit  to  pass  the  forts, 
and  take  on  board  an  inside  pilot.  This  is  the 
utmost  limit  to  which  European  or  American 
ladies  are  ever  permitted  to  intrude  into  the  Celes- 
tial Empire.  Most  of  the  foreign  merchants  resi- 
dent at  Canton*  rusticate  at  Macao  during  the  sum- 
mer months. — Lintin,  that  paradise  of  smugglers, 
lies  to  the  left  of  the  view  contained  in  this  picture. 

1070.  Ornamental  stands,  flowers,  &c. 

1071  and  1072.  Interior  views  of  Ponkeiqua’s  grounds  at 
Honam. 

1073.  Six  paintings  of  boats,  on  rice  paper. 

1074.  Flowers,  on  rice  paper. 

1075.  Six  boats,  on  rice  paper. 


9 2 


[Here  terminates  the  enumeration  of  articles  in  this  Col- 
lection. A very  large  number  have  been  omitted  in  the 
catalogue,  as,  if  all  had  been  introduced,  it  would  have 
swelled  the  pamphlet  to  an  inconvenient  size.] 


Description  of  the  City  of  Canton. 

Canton  stands  upon  the  north  bank  of  the  Chookeang 
or  Pearl  river,  about  sixty  miles  inland  from  the  “ great 
sea.”  It  is  one  of  the  oldest  cities  in  the  southern  pro- 
vinces, and  second  in  importance  to  no  other  in  the  em- 
pire, except  Peking,  where  the  emperor  holds  his  court. 
It  is  the  great  commercial  emporium  of  China,  and  the  only 
port  where  foreign  trade  is  permitted.  It  is  not  very  large 
in  extent,  the  whole  circuit  of  the  walls  not  exceeding  pro- 
bably six  miles ; but  it  is  densely  peopled,  and  the  sub- 
urbs, including  the  river  population,  contain  as  many  in- 
habitants as  the  city  proper. 

The  streets  of  Canton  are  very  numerous,  being  over 
six  hundred.  Their  names  sound  oddly  to  us,  and  have 
rather  an  ambitious  air.  “ Dragon  street,”  “ Flying-dra- 
gon street,”  “ Martial-dragon  street,”  “ Flower  street,” 
“Golden  street,”  “Golden-flower  street,”  &c.  are  high- 
sounding  enough ; but  some  of  them,  it  is  said,  have  names 
which  would  hardly  bear  to  be  translated  for  “ ears  po- 
lite.” The  Rev.  Mr.  Bridgman  states  that  they  vary  in 
width  from  two  to  sixteen  feet,  and  gives  it  as  his  opinion 
that  the  general  average  is  from  six  to  eight  feet.  Mr. 
Dunn  thinks  this  an  over  estimate  by  one  or  two  feet. 
They  are  all  paved  with  large  flag  stones,  chiefly  granite. 
Wheel  carriages  are  never  used.  Those  who  can  afford 
to  ride  are  borne  in  sedan  chairs  on  the  shoulders  of  coo- 
lies, and  all  heavy  burdens  are  carried  by  porters.  The 


93 


streets  are  generally  crowded,  and  present  a busy,  bustling, 
animated  appearance.  They  all  have  gates  at  each  end, 
which  are  closed  at  night,  and  guarded  by  a sentinel. 

The  houses  are  but  one  story  high.  A few  of  them  are 
of  wood  or  stone ; many,  belonging  to  the  poorer  classes, 
of  mud,  and  with  but  a single  apartment ; but  the  largest 
portion  of  bricks.  The  dwellings  of  those  in  easy  circum- 
stances contain  various  well-furnished  apartments,  the 
walls  of  which  are  generally  ornamented  with  carving,  pic- 
tures, and  various  scrolls,  inscribed  with  moral  maxims 
from  Confucius  and  other  sages.  The  houses  of  the 
wealthy  are  often  furnished  in  a style  of  great  magnificence, 
and  the  occupants  indulge  in  the  most  luxurious  habits. 
Official  personages,  however,  for  the  most  part  set  a com- 
mendable example  of  simplicity  and  economy  in  their  man- 
ner of  living.  The  doors  have  no  plates  to  tell  who  the 
occupant  of  the  mansion  is,  but  cylindrical  lanterns  are 
hung  up  by  the  sides  of  the  gates  of  all  houses  of  conse- 
quence, with  the  names  and  titles  of  the  owners  inscribed 
so  as  to  be  read  either  by  day,  or  at  night,  when  the  lan- 
terns are  lighted. 

Canton  is  a large  manufacturing  as  well  as  commercial 
town.  Mr.  Bridgman  informs  us  that  there  are  no  less 
than  17,000  persons  engaged  in  weaving  silk,  and  50,000 
in  manufacturing  cloth  of  all  kinds ; that  there  are  4,200 
shoemakers  ; and,  what  will  startle  and  astound  every  one, 
that  there  is  an  army  of  barbers  amounting  to  7,300 ! 
The  important  office  of  tonsor  can  be  held  only  by  license 
of  government.  Why  the  number  is  so  great,  has  al- 
ready been  explained.  The  manufacture  of  books  is  exten- 
sively carried  on  in  this  city,  but  we  are  not  in  possession 
of  the  exact  statistics.  “ Those  likewise,”  says  Bridgman, 
“ who  work  in  wood,  brass,  iron,  stone,  and  various  other 
materials,  are  numerous  ; and  they  who  engage  in  each  of 
these  respective  occupations,  form,  to  a certain  degree,  a 


94 


separate  community,  and  have  each  their  own  laws  and 
rules  for  the  regulation  of  their  business. 

Both  operatives  and  tradesmen  are  very  much  in  the 
habit  of  herding  together.  Entire  streets  are  devoted  to 
the  same  kind  of  business.  There  is  even  a street  occu- 
pied almost  exclusively  by  professors  of  the  healing  art, 
and  is  thence  called  by  the  Fanquis,*  “ Doctor  Street.” 
The  signs,  gayly  painted  and  lettered  on  each  side,  and 
hung  out  like  tavern  signs  among  us,  give  the  business 
streets  a lively  and  brilliant  appearance. 

The  population  of  Canton  is  a difficult  subject.  No  cer- 
tain data  exist  for  an  accurate  estimate.  The  author  above 
quoted  enters  into  conjectures  and  calculations,  which  give 
him  a result  of  nearly  a million  and  a quarter,  including 
the  suburbs  and  river.  It  seems  probable  that  this  estimate 
is  considerably  beyond  the  mark.  The  river  population  is 
an  interesting  subject,  to  which  we  have  already  alluded. 


General  Remarks  on  the  Government  and  People  of 
China . 

The  Chinese  government  is,  nominally,  at  least,  patri- 
archal. The  authority  of  a parent  over  his  children  is  the 
type  of  the  imperial  rule.  The  emperor  claims  to  be  the 
father  of  his  subjects.  As  such,  he  exercises  supreme, 
absolute,  unchecked  power  over  more  than  one-third  of  the 
human  race  He  has  but  to  sign  the  decree,  and  any  one 
of  three  hundred  and  fifty  millions  of  human  beings  is  in- 
stantly deprived  of  rank,  possessions,  liberty,  or  life  itself. 
This  is  a stupendous  system,  a phenomenon  unmatched  in 


* Foreigners. 


95 


the  annals  of  time,  and  worthy  to  engage  the  profound 
attention  of  statesmen  and  philosophers.  The  subjects  of 
the  Macedonian  were  but  as  a handful  compared  with  the 
teeming  millions  of  Eastern  Asia;  the  Roman  Empire 
when  at  its  widest  extent,  numbered  not  more  than  one 
third  of  the  present  population  of  China ; and  the  throne 
of  the  Caesars  was,  in  the  power  it  conferred  upon  its  oc- 
cupant, but  as  a child’s  elevation  in  comparison  with  that 
on  which  the  Tartar  sits.  We  can  but  glance  at  a few  of 
the  details  of  this  system,  and  the  causes  which  have  given 
it  stability. 

At  the  head  of  the  system  stands,  of  course,  the  empe- 
ror. His  titles  are,  the  “ Son  of  Heaven,”  and  the  “ Ten 
Thousand  Years.”  Ubiquity  is  considered  as  among  his 
attributes ; temples  are  erected  to  him  in  every  part  of  the 
empire  : and  he  is  worshipped  as  a god.  Yet  he  some- 
times styles  himself  “ the  imperfect  man,”  and  his  ordinary 
dress  is  far  from  splendid.  While  the  grand  mandarins 
that  compose  his  court,  glitter  in  gold  and  diamonds,  he 
appears  in  a plain  and  simple  garb.  Nevertheless,  no 
means  are  omitted  to  keep  up  the  prestige  of  his  majesty. 
The  outer  gate  of  the  imperial  palace  cannot  be  passed 
by  any  person  whatsoever,  in  a carriage  or  on  horseback. 
There  is  a road  between  Peking  and  the  emperor’s  sum- 
mer residence  in  Tartary,  wide,  smooth,  level,  and  always 
cleanly  swept,  on  which  no  one  but  himself  is  permitted  to 
travel.  At  the  palace,  a paved  walk  leads  to  the  principal 
hall  of  audience,  which  is  never  pressed  but  by  imperial 
feet.  Despatches  from  the  emperor  are  received  in  the 
provinces  with  prostrations  and  the  burning  of  incense. 
The  succession  is  at  the  absolute  disposal  of  the  emperor. 
Instances  have  occurred,  though  they  are  rare,  in  which 
persons  not  connected  with  the  imperial  family  have  been 
named.  The  immediate  assistants  of  the  emperor  are — 

I.  The  Nuy-ko.  This  is  the  great  council  of  state.  The 
chief  counsellors  are  four,  two  Tartars  and  two  Chinese. 


96 


Besides  these,  there  are  several  others,  of  inferior  rank, 
who,  in  conjunction  with  them,  constitute  the  council.  Al- 
most all  the  members  of  the  Nuy-ko  are  selected  from  the 
imperial  college  of  the  Hanlin. 

II.  The  Keun-ky-ta-chin.  This  is  a body  of  privy  coun- 
cillors. 

III.  The  Lew-poo,  or  six  boards  for  conducting  the 
details  of  public  business.  They  are,  1.  The  Board  of 
Appointments,  having  cognizance  of  the  conduct  of  all 
civil  officers;  2.  The  Board  of  Revenue,  whose  duties 
extend  to  all  fiscal  matters ; 3.  The  Board  of  Rites  and 
Ceremonies,  which  keeps  watch  and  ward  over  the  public 
morals,  and  is  the  only  setter  of  the  fashions  in  China ; 4. 
The  Military  Board,  charged  with  the  affairs  of  the  army 
and  navy ; 5.  The  Supreme  Court  of  Criminal  Jurisdic- 
tion; and,  6.  The  Board  of  Public  Works. 

IV.  The  Lyfan-yuen,  or  Office  for  F oreign  Affairs.  Its 
duties  embrace  all  the  external  relations  of  the  empire. 
The  members  of  the  Lyfan-yuen  are  always  Mongol  or 
Manchow  Tartars. 

Y.  The  Too-cha-yuen.  This  is  a body  of  censors,  forty 
or  fifty  in  number.  They  are  sent  into  different  parts  of 
the  empire  as  imperial  inspectors,  which  means  spies.  By 
an  ancient  custom,  they  are  at  liberty  to  give  any  advice 
to  their  master  without  the  hazard  of  losing  their  life  ; but 
blunt  honesty  is  not  often  relished  by  the  great  from  any 
quarter,  and  unpalatable  remonstrances  have  not  seldom 
cost  their  authors  the  favour  in  which  they  had  before 
basked. 

The  provinces  are  governed  each  by  a chief  magistrate, 
entitled  foo-yuen,  or  two  together  are  under  the  govern- 
ment of  a tsoong-to,  who  has  foo-yuens  under  him.  Can- 
ton and  Kuang-sy  are  subject  to  a tsoong-to,  called  by 
Europeans,  viceroy  of  Canton.  The  governors  of  the 
provinces  have,  subordinate  to  them,  an  army  of  civil  ma- 
gistrates amounting  to  fourteen  thousand.  No  individual 


97 


is  permitted  to  hold  office  in  the  province  where  he  was 
born  ; and  public  functionaries  interchange  places  periodi- 
cally, to  prevent  the  formation  of  too  intimate  connexions 
with  the  people  under  their  government.  A quarterly  pub- 
lication is  made,  by  authority,  of  the  name,  birth-place, 
&c.,  of  every  official  person  in  the  empire;  and  once  in 
three  years,  a report  is  sent  up  to  the  board  of  official  ap- 
pointments, by  the  foo-yuen  of  each  province,  containing 
the  names  of  all  the  officers  in  his  government,  and  a full 
statement  concerning  their  conduct  and  character,  received 
from  the  immediate  superiors  of  each.  Every  officer  is 
held  to  a strict  responsibility  for  the  good  behaviour  and 
fidelity  of  all  who  are  under  him.  Letters  are  held  in 
higher  esteem  than  arms,  and  the  civil  officers  of  course 
outrank  the  military.  This  may  be  set  down  to  their  cre- 
dit, as  it  is  certainly  a mark  of  social  advancement. 

No  man  in  China  inherits  office,  nor  does  hereditary 
rank  enjoy  much  consideration  or  influence.  This  fact  is 
placed  in  a strong  light  by  the  following  anecdote,  related 
by  Sir  George  Staunton,  secretary  to  Lord  Macartney’s 
embassy.  Among  the  presents  for  the  emperor  was  a 
volume  of  portraits  of  the  British  nobility.  That  the  in- 
spection of  them  might  he  more  satisfactory  to  his  majesty, 
a mandarin  was  employed  to  mark,  in  Chinese  characters, 
on  the  margin,  the  names  and  rank  of  the  persons  repre- 
sented. When  he  came  to  the  print  of  an  English  duke, 
from  a portrait  taken  in  childhood,  and  was  told  that  the 
original  wras  a ta-zhin , or  great  man,  of  very  high  rank, 
he  had  so  little  conception  of  a child’s  being  qualified,  by 
hereditary  right,  to  be  possessed  of  such  a dignity,  that  lie 
gave  a look  of  surprise,  and  laying  down  his  pencil,  ex- 
claimed, that  he  could  not  venture  to  describe  him  in  that 
manner,  for  the  emperor  knew  very  well  how  to  distinguish 
a great  man  from  a boy. 

The  penal  code  of  China  is  an  interesting  subject.  If 
we  go  upon  the  principle  of  judging  the  tree  by  its  fruits, 
13  I 


98 


and  look  at  this  code  in  connexion  with  its  results,  we  shall 
be  compelled  to  allow  that  it  is  wisely  framed  and  effi- 
ciently administered.  It  is  lucidly  arranged  under  six 
principal  divisions,  corresponding  to  the  six  boards  above 
described.  It  is  not  needful  to  enumerate  the  several  heads 
of  chapters  embraced  in  these  divisions.  The  principal 
defects  of  the  code,  in  the  opinion  of  Mr.  Davis,  are,  1.  A 
constant  meddling  with  those  relative  duties  which  had 
better  be  left  to  other  sanctions  than  positive  laws ; 2.  A 
minute  attention  to  trifles,  contrary  to  the  European  max- 
im, de  minimis  non  curat  lex ; and,  3.  An  occasional  in- 
dulgence in  those  vague  generalities,  by  which  the  benefits 
of  a written  code  are  in  a great  measure  annulled.  A 
prominent  feature  of  the  Chinese  criminal  law  is  the  mark- 
ed and  unrelenting  severity  with  which  it  punishes  treason, 
not  only  in  the  person  of  the  traitor,  but  in  those  of  his 
unoffending  offspring,  even  the  suckling  at  the  breast. 
The  whole  are  cut  off  at  one  fell  blow.  It  is  impossible 
to  read  the  recital  of  some  of  these  punishments,  so  abhor- 
rent to  humanity  and  justice,  without  a sentiment  of  indig- 
nation as  well  as  of  sympathy. 

“ The  most  common  instrument  of  punishment  is  the 
bamboo,  whose  dimensions  are  exactly  defined.  The 
number  of  blows,  attached  gradatim  with  such  precision 
to  every  individual  offence,  answers  the  purpose  of  a scale 
or  measurement  of  the  degrees  of  crime ; and  this  punish- 
ment being  often  commutable  for  fine  or  otherwise,  the  ap- 
parent quantity  of  flagellation  is  of  course  greater  than  the 
real.  The  next  punishment  is  the  kea , or  cangue,  which 
has  been  called  the  wooden  collar,  being  a species  of  walk- 
ing pillory,  in  which  the  prisoner  is  paraded,  with  his 
offence  inscribed.  It  is  sometimes  worn  for  a month  to- 
gether, and  as  the  hand  cannot  be  put  to  the  mouth,  the 
wearer  must  be  fed  by  other s.”*  After  this  comes  banish- 


* Davis. 


99 


ment  to  some  place  in  China,  and  then  exile  beyond  the 
Chinese  frontier,  either  for  a term  of  years  or  for  life. 
There  are  three  kinds  of  capital  punishment, — strangula- 
tion, decollation,  and,  for  treason,  lingchy , “ a disgraceful 
and  lingering  death,”  styled  by  Europeans,  cutting  into  ten 
thousand  pieces.  A debtor  who  does  not  “pay  up,”  after 
the  expiration  of  a certain  specified  period,  becomes  liable 
to  the  bamboo. 

:.We  will  close  this  very  imperfect  notice  of  the  Chinese 
criminal  law,  with  the  following  testimony  of  an  able  writer 
in  the  Edinburgh  Review.  He  says : — “ The  most  re- 
markable thing  in  this  code  is  its  great  reasonableness, 
clearness,  and  consistency ; the  business-like  brevity  and 
directness  of  the  various  provisions,  and  the  plainness  and 
moderation  of  the  language  in  which  they  are  expressed. 
It  is  a clear,  concise,  and  distinct  series  of  enactments,  sa- 
vouring throughout  of  practical  judgment  and  European 
good  sense.  When  we  turn  from  the  ravings  of  the  Zen- 
davesta,  or  the  Puranas,  to  the  tone  of  sense  and  of  busi- 
ness of  this  Chinese  collection,  we  seem  to  be  passing  from 
darkness  to  light — from  the  drivellings  of  dotage  to  the 
exercise  of  an  improved  understanding : and,  redundant 
and  minute  as  these  laws  are  in  many  particulars,  we 
scarcely  know  any  European  code  that  is  at  once  so  copi- 
ous and  so  consistent,  or  that  is  nearly  so  free  from  intri- 
cacy, bigotry,  and  fiction.” 

It  is  generally  supposed  that  the  Chinese  claim  to  have 
authentic  annals  extending  back  to  a date  anterior  to  the 
period  usually  assigned  to  the  creation  of  the  world.  This, 
however,  is  an  erroneous  supposition.  It  is  true  that  they 
have  a fabulous  history  which  pretends  to  relate  events 
occurring  we  know  not  how  many  thousand  ages  ago ; but 
intelligent  Chinese  scholars  consider  and  admit  this  to  be 
a pure  invention.  They  claim,  indeed,  a high  antiquity, 
and  there  can  be  no  doubt  that  the  claim  is  well  founded. 
It  is  probable,  that  Alexander  might  have  spared  his  tears, 


100 


and  saved  himself  the  perpetration  of  an  egregious  folly, 
had  he  known  that,  far  beyond  the  Ganges,  there  lay  an 
empire  vaster  and  mightier  than  any  with  whose  power  he 
had  grappled ; — an  empire  flourishing  in  the  arts  of  civil- 
ized life,  and  destined  to  survive,  in  a green  and  vigorous 
old  age,  long  after  the  last  vestiges  of  his  ill-gotten  power 
had  disappeared  from  the  earth. 

A full  development  of  the  causes  which  have  given 
strength  and  stability  to  the  Chinese  empire,  which  have 
matured  and  perpetuated  its  institutions,  would  be  an  in- 
teresting and  instructive  labour.  We  cannot  pretend  to 
attempt  it,  but  may,  in  passing,  throw  out  a few  hints  upon 
the  subject.  There  can  be  no  doubt,  that  the  sea  and  the 
mountain  barriers  by  which  China  is  surrounded,  the  un- 
warlike character  of  her  neighbours,  her  almost  total  isola- 
tion from  the  rest  of  the  world,  her  vigilant  police,  the 
eligibility  of  all  classes  to  the  trusts  and  dignities  of  office, 
and  the  rigid  system  of  responsibility  enforced  upon  her 
officers,  have  all  had  their  share  in  the  result.  But  these 
causes  are  insufficient  to  explain  the  phenomenon.  The 
most  powerful  agent,  beyond  all  question,  is  the  education 
of  her  people.  We  speak  here  not  so  much  of  the  educa- 
tion received  in  schools,  as  of  that  which  consists  in  an 
early,  constant,  vigorous,  and  efficient  training  of  the  dis- 
position, manners,  judgment,  and  habits  both  of  thought 
and  conduct.  This  most  efficient  department  of  education 
is  almost  wholly  overlooked  and  neglected  by  us ; but  it 
seems  to  be  well  understood  and  faithfully  attended  to  by 
the  Chinese.  With  us,  instruction  is  the  chief  part  of 
education,  with  them  training  ; let  the  wise  judge  between 
the  wisdom  of  the  two  methods.  The  sentiments  held  to 
be  appropriate  to  man  in  society,  are  imbibed  with  the 
milk  of  infancy,  and  iterated  and  reiterated  through  the 
whole  of  subsequent  life ; the  manners  considered  becom- 
ing in  adults,  are  sedulously  imparted  in  childhood  ; the 
habits  regarded  as  conducive  to  individual  advancement, 


101 


social  happiness,  and  national  repose  and  prosperity,  are 
cultivated  with  the  utmost  diligence ; and,  in  short,  the 
whole  channel  of  thought  and  feeling  for  each  generation, 
is  scooped  out  by  that  which  preceded  it,  and  the  stream 
always  fills  but  rarely  overflows  its  embankments.  The 
greatest  pains  are  taken  to  acquaint  the  people  with  their 
personal  and  political  duties,  wherein  they  again  set  us  an 
example  worthy  of  imitation.  “ Our  rights/7  is  a phrase 
in  everybody’s  mouth,  hut  our  duties  engage  hut  a com- 
paratively small  share  of  our  thoughts.  Volumes  are 
written  on  the  former  where  pages  are  on  the  latter.  The 
sixteen  discourses  of  the  emperor  Yong-tching,  on  the  six- 
teen sacred  institutes  of  Kang-hy,  the  most  accomplished 
and  virtuous  of  Chinese  sovereigns,  are  read  twice  every 
moon  to  the  whole  empire.  We  subjoin  the  texts  of  these 
discourses  as  curious,  and  at  the  same  time  highly  illustra- 
tive of  Chinese  character. 

1.  “ Be  strenuous  in  filial  piety  and  fraternal  respect, 
that  you  may  thus  duly  perform  the  social  duties.-— 2.  Be 
firmly  attached  to  your  kindred  and  parentage,  that  your 
union  and  concord  may  be  conspicuous.— 3.  Agree  with 
your  countrymen  and  neighbours,  in  order  that  disputes 
and  litigation  may  be  prevented. — 4.  Attend  to  your  farms 
and  mulberry  trees,  that  you  may  have  sufficient  food  and 
clothing.— 5.  Observe  moderation  and  economy,  that  your 
property  may  not  be  wasted.— 6.  Extend  your  schools  of 
instruction,  that  learning  may  be  duly  cultivated. — 7.  Re- 
ject all  false  doctrines,  in  order  that  you  may  duly  honour 
true  learning. — 8.  Declare  the  laws  and  their  penalties, 
for  a warning  to  the  foolish  and  ignorant- — 9.  Let  humility 
and  propriety  of  behaviour  be  duly  manifested,  for  the 
preservation  of  good  habits  and  laudable  customs. — 10. 
Attend  each  to  your  proper  employments,  that  the  people 
may  he  fixed  in  their  purposes. — 1 1 . Attend  to  the  educa 
tion  of  youth,  in  order  to  guard  them  from  doing  evil. — 
12.  Abstain  from  false  accusing,  that  the  good  and  honest 

i 2 


102 


may  be  in  safety. — 13.  Dissuade  from  the  concealment  of 
deserters,  that  others  be  not  involved  in  their  guilt. — 14. 
Duly  pay  your  taxes  and  customs,  to  spare  the  necessity 
of  enforcing  them. — 15.  Let  the  tithings  and  hundreds 
unite,  for  the  suppression  of  thieves  and  robbers. — 16.  Re- 
concile animosities,  that  your  lives  be  not  lightly  hazard- 
ed.” 

The  discourses  founded  on  these  excellent  maxims  are 
clear,  direct,  and  simple  in  their  style,  and  are  character- 
ized by  nervous  thought  and  practical  sense.  They  might 
be  taken  as  a model  for  didactic  compositions.  The  im- 
perial pen  deals  summarily  and  rather  cavalierly  with  the 
ministers  of  the  Budhist  and  Taou  sects.  We  offer  a few 
specimens  from  the  “ Book  of  Sacred  Instructions.”  The 
curious  will  find  them  interesting. 

“ This  filial  piety  is  a doctrine  from  Heaven,  the  con- 
summation of  earthly  justice,  the  grand  principle  of  action 
among  mankind.  The  man  who  knows  not  piety  to  pa- 
rents, can  surely  not  have  considered  the  affectionate  hearts 
of  parents  towards  their  children.  When  still  infants  in 
arms,  hungry,  they  could  not  feed  themselves ; cold,  they 
could  not  clothe  themselves ; but  they  had  then  parents 
who  watched  the  sounds  of  their  voice,  and  studied  the 
traits  of  their  countenance ; who  were  joyful  when  they 
smiled ; afflicted  when  they  wept ; who  followed  them, 
step  by  step,  when  they  moved ; who,  when  they  were 
sick  or  in  pain,  refused  food  and  sleep  on  their  account. 
Thus  were  they  nursed  and  educated  until  they  grew  up 
to  manhood.” — “ Formerly,  in  the  family  of  Chang-kung- 
ze,  nine  generations  lived  together  under  the  same  roof. 
In  the  family  of  Chang-she  of  Kiang-cheu  seven  hundred 
partook  of  the  same  daily  repast.  Thus  ought  all  those 
who  are  of  the  same  name  to  bear  in  remembrance  their 
common  ancestry  and  parentage.” — “ Economy  should, 
therefore,  be  held  in  estimation.  A store  is  like  a stream 
of  water,  and  moderation  and  economy  are  like  the  dams 


103 


which  confine  it.  If  the  course  of  the  water  is  not  stopped 
by  the  dam,  the  water  will  be  constantly  running  out,  and 
the  channel  at  length  will  be  dry.  If  the  use  of  the  store 
is  not  restricted  by  moderation  and  economy,  it  will  be 
consumed  without  stint,  and  at  length  will  be  wholly  ex- 
hausted.”— “ Wisdom  should  precede,  and  letters  follow.” 
— “ He  who  pretends  to  profound  learning,  without  re- 
garding first  himself,  and  his  own  duties ; fame  indeed  he 
may  acquire,  but  when  he  is  examined,  he  will  be  found  to 
possess  no  solidity.” — “ These  wandering  and  mendicant 
sectaries*  are  glad  to  disguise  their  views,  because  of  the 
corruption  of  their  practises.  Their  chief  pursuit  is  to 
diffuse  false  auguries,  and  omens  of  good  and  bad  fortune; 
and  they  thus  make  a livelihood  by  the  sale  of  their  idle 
tales  and  vain  predictions.  At  first  they  go  no  farther 
than  to  delude  the  people  out  of  their  money,  to  enrich 
themselves ; but,  by  degrees,  they  lead  the  people  of  both 
sexes  to  meet  indecorously  together ; and  burning  incense, 
they  initiate  them  into  their  sect. — Husbandmen  and  arti- 
sans desert  their  respective  callings,  and  flock  after  these 
vain  and  deceitful  talkers.” 

Such,  then,  are  the  constitution,  laws,  and  education  of 
China.  The  conclusion  of  the  whole  matter,  the  grand 
results  secured,  are  a stable  throne ; a country  enjoying 
an  extraordinary  degree  of  internal  quiet ; a population, 
mild,  peaceful,  obedient,  cheerful,  and  industrious ; and  a 
perpetuity  of  national  existence  unequalled  in  the  world’s 
history. 

The  population  of  China  has  been  variously  estimated. 
L ord  Macartney  states  the  number  of  inhabitants  at 
333,000,000;  Dr.  Morrison’s  son  at  360,000,000.  It  is 
well  known  that  the  learned  doctor’s  own  estimate  was 
only  150,000,000,  but  he  stated  to  Mr.  Dunn,  two  years 
before  his  death,  that  he  was  then  convinced  that  the  high- 


* The  Taou  and  Budhist  priests. 


104 


est  number  ever  given  did  not  exceed  the  true  one.  Wher- 
ever the  truth  may  lie,  it  is  certain  that  every  part  of  the 
empire  teems  with  life.  The  whole  policy  of  the  govern- 
ment, and  all  the  tendencies  of  the  empire,  that  can  at  all 
bear  upon  the  matter,  are  in  favour  of  multiplication. 
Children  are  obliged  to  provide  for  the  old  age  of  their 
parents ; and  the  want  of  offspring,  who  may  pay  the  cus- 
tomary honours  at  the  family  tombs  and  in  the  hall  of  an- 
cestors, is  considered  the  most  grievous  of  calamities. 
These  considerations  are  vigorous  stimulants  to  marriage, 
and,  coming  in  aid  of  the  natural  instincts  of  the  race,  leave 
fewer  bachelors  and  maids  in  China  than  in  any  other 
country  on  the  globe.  The  owners  of  slaves,  who  do  not 
procure  husbands  for  their  females,  are  liable  to  prosecu- 
tion. Three  generations,  and  more,  often  live  under  the 
same  roof,  and  eat  at  the  same  board ; a system  of  club- 
bing, which  by  diminishing  the  expenses  of  living,  tends 
strongly  to  the  increase  of  population.  Again,  the  laws 
of  the  empire,  and  all  the  prejudices  and  sentiments  of  the 
people,  are  against  emigration,  which  prevents  that  drain- 
age by  means  of  which  other  civilized  and  trading  nations 
are  relieved  of  their  surplus  inhabitants. 

The  government  of  so  extensive  an  empire,  swarming 
with  its  hundreds  of  millions,  must  be  an  expensive  affair. 
Du  Halde,  apparently,  however,  without  the  means  of  ex- 
act accuracy,  sets  down  the  total  expenses  of  the  imperial 
government  in  the  round  sum  of  200,000,000  taels,  or  con- 
siderably over  $250,000,000 ; of  which  only  40,000,000 
reach  Peking,  the  balance  being  expended  in  the  provinces. 
The  sources  whence  these  moneys  come  are,  a land  tax, 
for  which  the  land-owners,  and  not  the  tenants,  are  re- 
sponsible ; a tax  on  salt,  which  is  a government  monopoly  ; 
certain  revenues  derived  from  tea  and  alum,  which  are  also 
monopolies  to  a limited  extent ; taxes  on  the  transit  of 
goods  within  the  empire  : and  customs  on  imports  and  ex- 
ports. The  government  at  this  moment  appears  to  be 


105 


hard  pressed  for  means,  and  the  difficulty  of  fixing  upon 
modes  of  increasing  the  revenue,  is  a pretty  clear  indication 
that  there  are  practical  checks  to  the  exercise  of  imperial 
authority,  which  it  is  not  thought  prudent  to  disregard. 

In  whatever  else  a difference  of  opinion  may  exist  re- 
specting the  Chinese,  all  must  agree  that  they  are  an  ori- 
ginal people.  Their  marked  peculiarities  in  manners  and 
customs,  the  frame-work  and  administration  of  their  govern- 
ment, the  idiosyncrasy  of  their  education  and  educational 
institutions,  and  their  modes  and  implements  of  agricultu- 
ral and  mechanical  labour, — all  proclaim  their  originality 
beyond  doubt  or  cavil.  Whoever  attentively  examines  the 
immense  collection  of  Chinese  curiosities,  of  which  we 
have  given  but  a comparatively  meager  sketch,  will  need 
no  further  proof  of  the  ingenuity  of  the  Chinese  in  arts 
and  manufactures.  In  several  branches  of  labour,  both 
agricultural  and  mechanical,  which  evidently  originated 
with  themselves,  they  have  never  been  surpassed ; and  in 
some,  they  are  unequalled  by  any  other  people.  Without 
any  claims  to  be  considered  a scientific  nation,  the  various 
contrivances  by  which  they  economize  labour,  and  force 
nature  to  become  their  handmaid,  are  many  of  them  equally 
simple,  ingenious,  and  efficient. 

The  three  inventions  and  discoveries  which,  in  their  re- 
sults, have  contributed  more  powerfully  than  all  other 
causes  combined  to  give  to  modern  society  its  peculiar  form 
and  fashioning,  and  which  are  destined,  instrumentally,  to 
carry  forward,  to  its  utmost  limit  of  perfection,  the  civili- 
zation of  the  human  race,  first  started  into  being  in  the 
Celestial  Empire ; and,  whatever  mortification  the  state- 
ment may  inflict  upon  our  vanity,  there  is  much  reason  to 
suppose  that  those  who,  throughout  Christendom,  are  ge- 
nerally considered  as  the  inventors  of  the  art  of  printing, 
the  composition  of  gunpowder,  and  the  magnetic  needle 
and  mariner’s  compass,  received  their  first  promptings,  and 
had  their  genius  quickened  into  activity,  by  information 
14 


106 


flowing,  through  different  channels,  from  the  springs  of 
Eastern  Asia. 


Foreign  intercourse  with  China . 

The  ancients  may  be  said  to  have  had  no  knowledge  of 
China ; for,  though  a few  scattered  gleams  appear  to  have 
reached  them  from  that  remote  region,  and  one  or  two  fee- 
ble efforts  were  made  to  obtain  information  concerning  its 
inhabitants,  they  were  not  sufficient  to  produce  any  prac- 
tical results.  Yet,  when  Rome  was  still  an  infant,  and 
the  Grecian  philosophy  among  the  things  to  be,  China  had 
produced  a sage,  second  only,  in  the  long  catalogue  of  hea- 
then philosophers,  to  the  illustrious  and  pure  minded  So- 
crates. 

Some  Nestorians  appear  to  have  introduced  Christianity 
into  China,  in  the  year  635,  but  the  world  is  indebted  to 
them  for  no  account  of  the  country,  either  in  its  physical 
or  moral  aspects.  Two  Arabians,  in  the  ninth  century, 
visited  and  described  it  with  considerable  fulness.  Much 
contained  in  their  itineraries  is  applicable  to  the  Chinese 
of  the  present  day.  Commercial  relations  of  some  impor- 
tance existed  then,  and  subsequently,  between  China  and 
Arabia.  The  Chinese  appear  to  have  sought,  in  those 
early  ages,  commercial  liaisons  with  several  of  the  neigh- 
bouring nations.  Carpini,  the  first  Catholic  missionary  to 
China,  was  sent  thither  in  1246.  He  was  kindly  received, 
and  sent  back  with  a friendly  letter.  Another  missionary 
was  sent  in  1253,  who  met  with  a like  - reception.  About 
the  same  time  the  two  Polos,  Nicholas  and  Matthew, 
reached  the  court  of  the  Mongol  conqueror,  Coblai  Khan, 
by  whom  they  were  most  graciously  received,  and,  at  their 


107 


departure,  invited  to  return.  They  accordingly,  in  1274, 
went  back,  taking  young  Marco  with  them.  This  young 
man  became  a great  favourite  with  the  Khan,  and  resided 
at  his  court  seventeen  years.  He  was  the  first  European 
who  gave  the  world  an  account  of  China.  His  book  was 
long  considered  little  more  than  a pleasant  romance,  but 
has  since  been  proven  to  be  remarkably  faithful  and  accu- 
rate. Its  glowing  pictures  kindled  the  imagination  of  the 
young  Columbus,  and  fed  for  years  his  soaring  hopes.  The 
pen  of  the  noble  Venetian  did  much  to  nurse  that  lofty  en- 
thusiasm and  indomitable  perseverance,  which  at  length 
revealed  to  Europe,  not  indeed  a new  passage  to  the  rich 
empire  of  Cathay,  but  a new  world,  the  destined  refuge 
of  the  oppressed  of  every  clime,  designed  by  Providence 
to  become  the  theatre  of  new  and  sublime  experiments  in 
government,  where  human  nature,  relieved  from  the  pres- 
sure imposed  upon  it  by  the  abuses  of  ancient  dynasties, 
might  start  afresh,  with  unimpeded  and  elastic  step,  on  the 
race  of  improvement.  May  the  same  Almighty  arm  thal 
shielded  from  a thousand  dangers  the  leading  actor  in  the 
opening  scene  of  this  great  drama,  continue,  through  com- 
ing ages,  to  spread  the  aegis  of  its  protection  over  these 
broad  domains,  and  thus  cause  the  fulfilment  of  the  pro- 
phecy of  the  rapt  bard,  who  sang, 

“ Time’s  noblest  empire  is  the  last !” 

The  next  Catholic  missionary  to  China  was  Corvino. 
He  went  to  Peking,  was  kindly  received  by  the  emperor, 
built  a church  by  imperial  permission,  and  baptized  several 
thousand  converts.  The  missions  continued  to  flourish, 
and  the  missionaries  were  unmolested  in  their  labours,  till 
they  began  to  meddle  with  the  government,  and  thus  be- 
came politically  obnoxious. 

The  Portuguese  were  the  first  Europeans  who  traded 
to  China.  They  made  their  appearance  there  early  in  the 
sixteenth  century.  They  were  followed  by  the  Spaniards, 


108 


Dutch,  French,  &c.  The  Russians  have  an  over-land 
commerce  with  China,  hut  are  not  allowed  to  use  ships. 
Their  dealings  are  restricted  to  the  frontier  station  at  Ki- 
ackta,  in  Tartary.  The  earliest  attempt  made  by  the  Eng- 
lish to  establish  a trade  with  China,  was  under  Elizabeth, 
in  1596.  The  three  ships,  fitted  out  for  this  purpose,  were 
all  wrecked  on  their  outward  voyage.  About  forty  years 
later,  a somewhat  more  successful  effort  was  made  by  a 
fleet  under  the  command  of  Capt.  Weddel ; but  the  main 
object  was  defeated  through  the  jealousy  and  misrepresen- 
tations of  the  “ Portugals.”  Numerous  attempts  followed, 
with  various  success ; but  it  was  not  until  the  beginning 
of  the  last  century  that  permission  was  obtained  for  esta- 
blishing a factory,  and  the  trade  fixed  upon  a permanent 
basis. 

The  first  American  vessel  that  went  on  a trading  voyage 
to  China,  sailed  from  New  York,  in  1784;  but  so  rapidly 
did  the  trade  thus  opened  increase,  that  in  1789,  there 
wrere  fifteen  American  vessels  at  Canton ; a larger  number 
than  from  any  other  country,  except  Great  Britain.  Du- 
ring twenty-eight  years,  between  1805  and  1833  inclusive, 
the  whole  number  of  arrivals  of  American  vessels  at  the 
port  of  Canton,  was  896,  giving  an  annual  average  of  3 2. 
The  total  estimated  measurement  tonnage  of  these  vessels 
was  500,000,  averaging,  therefore,  17,857  per  annum.  The 
entire  value  of  the  China  trade,  during  the  above-mentioned 
period,  may  be  stated,  in  round  numbers,  at  $150,000,000, 
or  over  five  millions  and  a quarter  yearly,  Rather  more 
than  a hundred  millions  of  this  sum  have  been  paid  in  dol- 
lars and  bills  of  exchange.  The  bulk  of  the  trade  is  in 
teas.  Of  these,  twelve  kinds  are  known  to  the  foreign 
commerce,  six  of  black,  and  as  many  of  green.  A great 
variety  of  other  articles  enter  into  the  trade,  but  they  form 
a comparatively  unimportant  part  of  it.  Opium  is  the  chief 
import  into  China. 

Mr.  Bridgman,  in  his  “ Description  of  Canton,”  esti- 


109 


mates  the  whole  number  of  vessels  employed  in  the  China 
trade,  belonging  to  all  the  different  nations,  at  140.  “ But 
the  trade,”  he  adds,  “has  always  been  carried  on  under 
circumstances  peculiar  to  itself.  It  is  secured  by  no  com- 
mercial treaties;  it  is  regulated  by  no  stipulated  rules. 
Mandates  and  edicts  not  a few  there  are  on  record ; but 
they  all  emanate  from  one  party : still  the  trade  lives,  and, 
by  that  imperial  favour  which  extends  to  the  1 four  seas,’ 
flourishes  and  enjoys  no  small  degree  of  protection.” 

The  foreign  commerce  with  China,  the  land  trade  car- 
ried on  by  the  Russians  alone  excepted,  is  restricted  to  the 
port  of  Canton,  and  is  conducted,  so  far  as  the  Chinese 
themselves  are  concerned,  by  a body  of  licensed  traders, 
called  “Hong  merchants.”  This  body  is  called  the  Co- 
hong, and  its  members  pay  roundly  for  the  privilege  of 
entering  it.  It  is  not  a joint  stock  company  ; each  Hong 
enjoys  his  individual  gains,  yet  the  whole  Co-hong  is  made 
responsible  for  the  debts  of  every  member,  so  far  as  they 
consist  of  government  dues  and  obligations  to  foreigners. 
These  merchants  generally  amass  large  fortunes,  and  live 
like  princes.  Houqua,  the  present  head  of  the  Co-hong,  is 
supposed  to  be  the  richest  commoner  in  the  world.  The 
wealth  of  Girard  was  small  in  comparison  with  that  which 
he  possesses.  His  annual  expenses  exceed  half  a million 
of  dollars.  There  are  very  few  of  the  English  nobility, 
rich  as  they  are,  who  have  a rent-roll  equal  to  this. 

The  factories , as  the  warehouses  and  residences  of  the 
foreign  merchants  are  called,  are  built  on  a plot  of  ground, 
in  part  reclaimed  from  the  river,  having  not  more  than  660 
feet  of  frontage,  with  about  1000  feet  of  depth.  Within 
these  narrow  limits  is  conducted  the  whole  foreign  trade 
of  the  Celestial  Empire,  amounting  to  from  jg 30,000,000 
to  $40,000,000  annually.  The  factories  are  all  of  granite 
or  brick,  and  present  a handsome  and  substantial  front. 
The  ground  on  which  they  stand,  as  also  most  of  the  build 
ings  themselves,  are  owned  by  the  Hong  merchants. 

K 


110 


The  Chinese  have  been,  repeatedly,  denounced  in  terms 
savouring  little  of  Christian  forbearance  and  charity.  In 
their  business  transactions,  they  have  been  presented  to 
our  imagination  as  a nation  of  cheats ; in  their  bearing  to- 
wards foreigners,  as  scornful  and  repulsive  to  the  last  de- 
gree of  supercilious  self-complacency ; and  in  their  own 
social  relations,  as  bereft  of  every  noble  sentiment  and 
generous  sympathy.  The  policy,  especially  of  excluding 
foreign  traders  from  all  but  a single  port  of  the  empire, 
has  been  made  the  subject  of  the  most  acrimonious  denun- 
ciations. F ar  be  it  from  us  to  enter  the  lists  in  defence 
of  this  policy ; nor  will  we  take  up  the  proffered  gauntlet 
on  the  general  question  of  Chinese  respectability  and  worth. 
But  truth  and  justice  are  suitors  at  the  bar,  and  demand  a 
few  words  in  explanation  of  one  or  two  points,  which  seem 
not  to  be  generally  understood.  We  have  already  seen 
that  this  people,  at  an  early  day,  sought  commercial  con- 
nexions with  various  of  the  neighbouring  nations;  that  the 
Arabians  traded  freely  with  them,  wherever  they  pleased  ; 
that  the  earliest  European  visiters  were  received  with 
marked  kindness,  and  treated  with  extraordinary  hospitali- 
ty ; and  that  the  Catholic  missionaries  had  free  admission 
to  all  parts,  and  made  and  baptized  converts  without  let 
or  hinderance.  These  zealous  and  able  sectaries,  were 
frequently  promoted  to  the  highest  dignities  of  the  empire. 
They  founded  churches  at  their  will ; and  hundreds  of 
thousands  of  Chinese  were,  nominally  at  least,  through 
their  exertions,  converted  to  the  Christian  faith.  They 
continued  in  favour  till  they  indiscreetly  began  to  tamper 
with  government  affairs,  and  attempted  to  undermine  the 
ancient  institutions  of  the  realm.  No  restrictions  of  place 
were  imposed  upon  those  western  merchants  who  first  fre- 
quented the  shores  of  China.  Every  port  was  open  to 
their  enterprise,  and  they  were  not  required  to  confine 
their  dealings  to  any  defined  spot  or  particular  class  of 
merchants.  But  the  burning  jealousies  and  fierce  wran- 


Ill 


glings  perpetually  kept  up  between  the  subjects  of  the  differ- 
ent European  governments  that  sought  to  share  in  the  rich 
gains  of  the  China  trade,  roused  the  suspicions  of  the 
Chinese,  and  inspired  no  very  favourable  opinion  of  their 
character.  The  abominable  arts  to  which  the  foreigners, 
under  the  stings  of  a base  cupidity,  resorted  to  injure  each 
other,  would  seem  almost  to  justify  the  epithet  Fanquis , 
or  “ foreign  demons,”  applied  to  them  by  the  natives. 
These  circumstances,  together  with  various  positive  abuses 
of  the  liberties  of  trade  at  first  freely  granted,  caused  the 
government  to  commence  at  length  the  work  of  abridging 
the  privileges  of  the  foreigners,  and  the  result  appears  in 
the  rigid  system  of  restrictions  now  in  force. 

If  European  and  American  traders  may  fairly  blame  the 
illiberality  of  the  Chinese,  these  have  certainly  just  ground 
of  complaint  against  the  former,  in  the  illegal  practices  to 
which  their  cupidity  tempts  them.  Fifteen  to  twenty  mil- 
lions worth  of  opium  is,  in  defiance  of  the  laws  and  known 
wishes  of  the  government,  every  year  emptied  upon  the 
shores  of  China  by  Christian  merchants ! 

Since  the  first  edition  of  this  pamphlet  was  published, 
the  Chinese  government  has  taken  vigorous  measures  for 
the  total  suppression  of  the  opium  trade.  The  emperor 
last  spring  appointed  an  officer,  under  the  title  of  “ High 
Imperial  Commissioner  of  the  Celestial  Court,”  to  proceed 
to  Canton  to  make  a thorough  investigation  of  the  whole 
matter,  and  to  remain  there  till  the  evil,  so  long  complained 
of,  should  be  utterly  exterminated.  A few  days  after  his 
arrival,  viz.  on  the  18th  March,  1839,  the  commissioner 
issued  the  following 

11  EDICT- 

“ From  the  Imperial  Commissioner  to  Foreigners  of  all 

nations. 

“ Lin,  High  Imperial  Commissioner  of  the  Celestial 
Court,  a director  of  the  Board  of  War,  and  Governor  of 


112 


Hookwang,  issues  his  commands  to  the  foreigners  of  every 
nation,  requiring  of  all  full  acquaintance  with  the  tenor 
thereof. 

“ It  is  known  that  the  foreign  vessels,  which  come  for  a 
reciprocal  trade  to  Kwantung,  have  derived  from  that  trade 
very  large  profits.  This  is  evidenced  by  the  facts, — that, 
whereas  the  vessels  annually  resorting  hither  were  for- 
merly reckoned  hardly  by  tens,  their  number  has  of  late 
years  amounted  to  a hundred  and  several  times  ten : and 
that  whatever  commodities  they  may  have  brought,  none 
have  failed  to  find  a full  consumption ; whatever  they  may 
have  sought  to  purchase,  never  have  they  been  unable  rea- 
dily to  do  so.  Let  them  but  ask  themselves  whether,  be- 
tween heaven  and  earth,  any  place  affording  so  advanta- 
geous a commercial  mart  is  elsewhere  to  be  found.  It  is 
because  our  great  emperors,  in  their  universal  benevo- 
lence, have  granted  you  commercial  privileges,  that  you 
have  been  favoured  with  these  advantages.  Let  our  ports 
once  be  closed  against  you,  and  for  what  profits  can  your 
several  nations  any  longer  look?  Yet  more, — our  tea  and 
our  rhubarb — seeing  that,  should  you  foreigners  be  de- 
prived of  them,  you  therein  lose  the  means  of  preserving 
life, — -are  without  stint  or  grudge  granted  to  you  for  ex- 
portation, year  by  year,  beyond  the  seas.  Favours  never 
have  been  greater ! 

“ Are  you  grateful  for  these  favours?  You  must  then 
fear  the  laws,  and  in  seeking  profit  for  yourselves,  must 
not  do  hurt  to  others.  Why  do  you  bring  to  our  land  the 
opium,  which  in  your  own  lands  is  not  made  use  of,  by  it 
defrauding  men  of  their  property,  and  causing  injury  to 
their  lives  ? I find  that  with  this  thing  you  have  seduced 
and  deluded  the  people  of  China  for  tens  of  years  past : 
and  countless  are  the  unjust  hoards  that  you  have  thus 
acquired.  Such  conduct  rouses  indignation  in  every  hu- 
man heart,  and  is  utterly  inexcusable  in  the  eye  of  celes- 
tial reason. 


113 


“ The  prohibitions  formerly  enacted  by  the  celestial  court 
against  opium  were  comparatively  lax,  and  it  was  yet  pos- 
sible to  smuggle  the  drug  into  the  various  ports.  Of  this 
the  great  emperor  having  now  heard,  his  wrath  has  been 
fearfully  aroused,  nor  will  it  rest  till  the  evil  be  utterly  ex- 
tirpated. Whoever  among  the  people  of  this  inner  land 
deal  in  opium,  or  establish  houses  for  the  smoking  of  it, 
shall  be  instantly  visited  with  the  extreme  penalty  of  the 
laws ; and  it  is  in  contemplation  to  render  capital  also  the 
crime  of  smoking  the  drug. 

“ Having  come  into  the  terrritory  of  the  celestial  court, 
you  should  pay  obedience  to  its  laws  and  statutes,  equally 
with  the  natives  of  the  land.  I,  the  High  Commissioner, 
having  my  home  in  the  maritime  province  of  Fuhkeen,  and 
consequently  having  early  had  intimate  acquaintance  with 
all  the  arts  and  shifts  of  the  outer  foreigners,  for  this  rea- 
son, have  been  honoured  by  the  great  emperor  with  the  full 
powers  and  privileges  of  1 a High  Imperial  Commissioner, 
who,  having  repeatedly  performed  meritorious  services,  is 
sent  to  settle  the  affairs  of  the  outer  frontier.’ 

“ Should  I search  closely  into  the  offences  of  these  fo- 
reigners in  forcing  for  a number  of  years  the  sale  of  opium, 
they  would  be  found  already  beyond  the  bounds  of  indul- 
gence. But,  reflecting  that  they  are  men  from  distant 
lands,  and  that  they  have  not  before  been  aware  that  the 
prohibition  of  opium  is  so  severe,  I cannot  bear,  in  the 
present  plain  enforcement  of  the  laws  and  restrictions,  to 
cut  them  off  without  instructive  monition. 

“ I find  that  on  board  the  warehousing  vessels  which 
you  now  have  lying  at  anchor  in  the  Lintin  and  other 
offings,  there  are  stored  up  several  times  ten  thousand 
chests  of  opium,  which  it  is  your  purpose  and  desire  illi- 
citly to  dispose  of  by  sale.  You  do  not  consider,  however, 
the  present  severity  of  the  measures  in  operation  for  seiz- 
ure of  it  at  the  ports.  Wheie  will  you  again  find  any 
that  will  dare  to  give  it  escort  ? And  similar  measures 
15  K 


114 


for  the  seizure  of  it  are  in  operation  also  in  every  pro- 
vince. Where  else  then  will  you  yet  find  opportunity  of 
disposing  of  it  ? At  the  present  time  the  dealings  in  opium 
are  brought  utterly  to  a stand,  and  all  men  are  convinced 
that  it  is  a nauseous  poison.  Why  will  you  be  at  the  pains 
then  of  laying  it  up  on  board  your  foreign  store-ships,  and 
of  keeping  them  long  anchored  on  the  face  of  the  open 
sea, — not  only  spending  to  no  purpose  your  labour  and 
your  wealth,  but  exposed  also  to  unforeseen  dangers  from 
storms  or  from  fire  ? 

“ I proceed  to  issue  my  commands.  When  these  com- 
mands reach  the  said  foreign  merchants,  let  them  with  all 
haste  pay  obedience  thereto.  Let  them  deliver  up  to  go- 
vernment every  particle  of  the  opium  on  board  their  store- 
ships.  Let  it  be  ascertained  by  the  Hong  merchants,  who 
are  the  parties  so  delivering  it  up,  and  what  number  of 
chests,  as  also  what  total  quantity  in  catties  and  taels,  is 
delivered  up  under  each  name.  Let  these  particulars  be 
brought  together  in  a clear  tabular  form,  and  be  presented 
to  government,  in  order  that  the  opium  may  all  be  received 
in  plain  conformity  thereto,  that  it  may  be  burnt  and  de- 
stroyed, and  that  thus  the  evil  may  be  entirely  extirpated. 
There  must  not  be  the  smallest  atom  concealed  or  with- 
held. 

“ At  the  same  time  let  these  foreigners  give  a bond, 
written  jointly  in  the  foreign  and  Chinese  languages,  mak- 
ing a declaration  to  this  effect : 4 That  their  vessels  which 
shall  hereafter  resort  hither  will  never  again  dare  to  bring 
opium  with  them ; and  that  should  any  be  brought,  as  soon 
as  discovery  shall  be  made  of  it,  the  goods  shall  be  for- 
feited to  government,  and  the  parties  shall  suffer  the  ex- 
treme penalties  of  the  law  : and  that  such  punishment  will 
be  willingly  submitted  to.’ 

44 1 have  heard  that  you  foreigners  are  used  to  attach 
great  importance  to  the  word  4 good  faith.’  If  then  you 
will  really  do  as  I,  the  High  Commissioner,  have  com 


115 


manded, — will  deliver  up  every  particle  of  the  opium  that 
is  already  here,  and  will  stay  altogether  its  future  introduc- 
tion,— as  this  will  prove  also  that  you  are  capable  of  feel- 
ing contrition  for  your  offences,  and  of  entertaining  a 
salutary  dread  of  punishment,  the  past  may  yet  be  left  un- 
noticed, I,  the  High  Commissioner,  will  in  that  case,  in 
conjunction  with  the  Governor  and  Lieutenant-Governor, 
address  the  throne,  imploring  the  great  emperor  to  vouchsafe 
extraordinary  favour,  and  not  alone  to  remit  the  punish- 
ment of  your  past  errors,  but  also — as  we  will  further 
request — to  devise  some  mode  of  bestowing  on  you  his 
imperial  rewards,  as  an  encouragement  of  the  spirit  of  con- 
trition and  wholesome  dread  thus  manifested  by  you. 
After  this,  you  will  continue  to  enjoy  the  advantages  of 
commercial  intercourse ; and  you  will  not  lose  the  charac- 
ter of  being  ‘good  foreigners,’  and  will  be  enabled  to  ac- 
quire profits  and  get  wealth  by  an  honest  trade : will  you 
not  indeed  stand  in  a most  honourable  position  ? 

“ If,  however,  you  obstinately  adhere  to  your  folly  and 
refuse  to  awake, — if  you  think  to  make  up  a tale  covering 
over  your  illicit  dealings,— -or  to  set  up  as  a pretext  that 
the  opium  is  brought  by  foreign  seamen,  and  the  foreign 
merchants  have  nothing  to  do  with  it, — or  to  pretend 
craftily  that  you  will  carry  it  back  to  your  countries,  or 
will  throw  it  into  the  sea,— or  to  take  occasion  to  go  to 
other  provinces  in  search  of  a door  of  consumption, — or 
to  stifle  inquiry  by  delivering  up  only  one  or  two  tenths  of 
the  whole  quantity : in  any  of  these  cases,  it  will  be  evi- 
dent that  you  retain  a spirit  of  contumacy  and  disobe- 
dience, that  you  uphold  vice  and  will  not  reform.  Then, 
although  it  is  the  maxim  of  the  celestial  court  to  treat  with 
tenderness  and  great  mildness  men  from  afar,  yet  as  it 
cannot  suffer  them  to  indulge  in  scornful  and  contemptuous 
trifling  with  it,  it  will  become  requisite  to  comprehend  you 
in  the  severe  course  of  punishment  prescribed  by  the  new 
law. 


116 


“ On  this  occasion,  I,  the  High  Commissioner,  having 
come  from  the  capital,  have  personally  received  the  sacred 
commands,  that  wherever  a law  exists,  it  is  to  be  fully  en- 
forced. And  as  I have  brought  these  full  powers  and  pri- 
vileges, enabling  me  to  perform  whatever  seems  to  me 
right, — powers  with  which  those  ordinarily  given,  for  in- 
quiring and  acting  in  regard  to  o er  matters,  are  by  no 
means  comparable, — so  long  as  the  opium  traffic  remains 
unexterminated,  so  long  will  I delay  my  return.  I swear 
that  I will  progress  with  this  matter  from  its  beginning  to 
its  ending,  and  that  not  a thought  of  stopping  halfway  shall 
for  a moment  be  indulged. 

“Furthermore,  observing  the  present  condition  of  the 
popular  mind,  I find  so  universal  a spirit  of  indignation 
aroused,  that,  should  you  foreigners  remain  dead  to  a sense 
of  contrition  and  amendment,  and  continue  to  make  gain 
your  sole  object,  there  will  not  only  be  arrayed  against  you 
the  martial  terrors  and  powerful  energies  of  our  naval  and 
military  forces ; — it  will  be  but  necessary  to  call  on  the 
able  bodies  of  the  people,  [the  militia  or  posse  comitatus,] 
and  these  alone  will  be  more  than  adequate  to  the  placing 
all  your  lives  within  my  power.  Besides,  either  by  the 
temporary  stoppage  of  your  trade,  or  by  the  permanent 
closing  of  the  ports  against  you,  what  difficulty  can  there 
be  in  effectually  cutting  off  your  intercourse  ? Our  central 
empire,  comprising  a territory  of  many  thousands  of  miles, 
and  possessing  in  rich  abundance  all  the  products  of  the 
ground,  has  no  benefit  to  derive  from  the  purchase  of  your 
foreign  commodities,  and  you  may  therefore  well  fear,  that 
from  the  moment  such  measures  are  taken,  the  livelihood 
of  your  several  nations  must  come  to  an  end.  You,  who 
have  travelled  so  far  to  conduct  your  commercial  business, 
how  is  it  that  you  are  not  yet  alive  to  the  great  difference 
between  the  condition  of  vigorous  exertion  and  that  of 
easy  repose — the  wide  distance  between  the  power  of  the 
few  and  the  power  of  the  many  ? 


117 


“As  to  those  crafty  foreigners  who,  residing  in  the  fo- 
reign factories,  have  been  in  the  habit  of  dealing  in  opium, 
I,  the  High  Commissioner,  have  early  been  provided  with  a 
list  of  them  by  name.  At  the  same  time  those  good  foreign- 
ers who  have  not  sold  opium  must  also  not  fail  to  be  dis- 
tinguished. Such  of  them  as  will  point  out  their  depraved 
fellow-foreigners,  will  compel  them  to  deliver  up  their 
opium,  and  will  step  forth  among  the  foremost  to  give  the 
required  bonds, — these  shall  be  regarded  as  the  good  fo- 
reigners. And  I,  the  High  Commissioner,  will  at  once  for 
their  encouragement  reward  them  liberally.  It  rests  with 
yourselves  alone  to  choose  whether  you  will  have  weal  or 
wo,  honour  or  disgrace. 

“Iam  now  about  to  command  the  Hong  merchants  to 
proceed  to  your  factories,  to  instruct  and  admonish  you. 
A term  of  three  days  is  prescribed  for  an  address  to  be 
sent  in  reply  to  me.  And  at  the  same  time  let  your  duly 
attested  and  faithful  bonds  be  given,  waiting  for  me  in  con- 
junction with  the  Governor  and  Lieutenant-Governor  to 
appoint  a time  for  the  opium  to  be  delivered  up.  Do  not 
indulge  in  idle  expectations  or  seek  to  postpone  matters, 
deferring  to  repent  until  its  lateness  renders  it  ineffectual. 
“A  special  edict. 

“ Taoukwang,  19th  year,  2d  month,  4th  day. 

(“  March  18th,  1839.) 

f “ True  Translation.]  J.  Rob.  Morrison. 

“ Chinese  Secretary  and  Interpreter  to  the  Super- 
intendents of  British  Trade  in  China.” 

This  proclamation  is,  on  several  accounts,  a curious 
and  interesting  paper.  It  is  true  that  a smile  is  ex- 
cited by  the  overweening  national  vanity  it  betrays,  yet 
none  will  deny  that,  bating  this  weakness,  it  is  a straight- 
forward, business-like,  well-written,  and  able  production ; 
and,  taken  in  connexion  with  the  action  which  has  since 
been  had  in  the  premises,  it  shows  conclusively  that  the 


118 


Chinese  government  has  the  power,  and  will  use  it,  cost 
what  it  may,  to  put  a stop  to  the  abominable  traffic  in 
opium,  hitherto  carried  on  in  defiance  of  the  laws  of  China, 
by  men  calling  themselves  Christians.  By  advices  from 
Canton  more  recent  than  those  which  brought  the  commis- 
sioner’s edict,  we  learn  that  all  the  British  residents,  on 
their  refusal  to  comply  with  the  demands  of  the  Chinese 
authorities,  had  been  seized  and  confined  in  prison,  with 
Captain  Elliot,  President  of  the  Foreign  Board  of  Trade, 
who  holds  a commission  from  the  government  of  Great 
Britain,  at  their  head.  Captain  Elliot  had  advised  the 
giving  up  of  the  opium  agreeably  to  the  demand  made  in 
the  edict,  and  had  promised  indemnification  to  the  owners 
from  the  British  government.  In  accordance  with  this 
counsel,  the  opium  had  been  surrendered ; but,  by  the 
latest  accounts,  the  foreigners  were  still  kept  in  confine- 
ment, probably  in  consequence  of  refusing  to  execute  the 
required  bond  for  future  good  behaviour.  Whether  any 
Americans  have  been  imprisoned,  we  are  not  informed ; 
but  the  foreign  trade  has  been  entirely  closed  for  the  pre- 
sent, and  several  vessels,  due  for  some  time,  have  not  yet 
made  their  appearance.  Their  detention  has  doubtless 
been  occasioned  by  the  recent  difficulties.  These  difficul- 
ties have  already  occasioned  a considerable  rise  in  the  price 
of  teas  ; and  what  the  end  will  be,  or  when,  it  is  impossi- 
ble to  foresee.  We  believe  that  the  authorities  of  China 
have  the  power  to  suppress  the  traffic  in  opium,  and  that 
they  are  determined  to  exercise  it  at  whatever  hazard; 
and  we  heartily  wish  them  success  in  their  undertakings. 
It  is  true  the  trade  has  become  very  valuable,  amount- 
ing to  about  $20,000,000  annually.  The  principal  part 
of  this  sum  was  brought  away  from  China  in  bullion, 
and  ultimately  found  its  way  to  London.  This  large  in- 
flux of  the  precious  metals  from  China  has  probably  been 
one  of  the  principal  causes  which  has  kept  specie  in  Eng- 
land from  seven  to  nine  per  cent,  below  par.  The  stoppage 


119 


of  so  considerable  an  amount  cannot  but  have  a great  effect 
upon  the  currency  of  Great  Britain  and  the  United  States; 
and  the  banking  institutions  of  both  countries  must  feel  it. 
Yet  if  the  sum  were  ten  times  as  great  as  it  is,  it  could  not 
affect  the  question  in  its  moral  bearings.  No  amount  of 
pecuniary  advantage  can  make  that  right  which  is  wrong 
in  itself.  Opium  is  a poison,  destructive  alike  of  the  health 
and  morals  of  those  who  use  it  habitually,  and,  therefore, 
the  traffic  in  it,  under  any  circumstances,  is  nothing  less 
than  making  merchandise  of  the  bodies  and  souls  of  men. 
But  there  are  circumstances  which  give  to  the  wrong  in 
question  a character  of  peculiar  malignity.  The  introduc- 
tion of  opium  into  China  is  contrary  to  the  laws  of  the 
land,  and  consequently  can  he  effected  only  by  an  act  of 
public  and  gross  dishonesty.  And  this  injustice  is  com- 
mitted against  a heathen  country,  which  the  countrymen 
of  the  offending  individuals  are  seeking  to  convert  to  Chris- 
tianity ; but  their  benevolent  designs  are,  and  must  con- 
tinue to  be,  in  a great  measure  thwarted  by  the  iniquitous 
commerce  upon  which  we  are  animadverting.  The  opium 
smuggled  into  the  celestial  empire  is  for  the  most  part 
raised  on  the  lands  of  the  British  East  India  Company  in 
India ; and  the  whole  trade  is  winked  at,  if  not  directly 
encouraged,  by  the  British  government.  This  is  a foul 
stain  upon  the  British  name ; and  it  is  to  be  hoped  that 
there  are  many  individual  members  of  the  company  who 
do  not  understand  its  operations ; and  who,  if  they  did, 
would  heartily  disapprove  of  the  wholesale  wrong  prac- 
tised by  it  upon  the  Chinese  people.  But  it  is  not  England 
alone  that  is  to  blame  in  this  matter ; most  of  our  own 
merchants  at  Canton  are  guilty  in  the  same  way,  and  to  an 
equal  extent.  Alas  for  missionary  effort,  so  long  as  the 
grasping  avarice  of  the  countries  whence  the  missionaries 
go,  sets  at  naught  every  Christian  obligation  before  the 
very  eyes  of  the  people  whom  it  is  sought  to  convert! 
Most  devoutly  do  we  long  for  the  auspicious  day,  when  the 


120 


pure  religion,  that  distilled  from  the  heart  and  was  imbo- 
died  in  the  life  of  Jesus,  shall  shed  its  sacred  influences  on 
every  human  being ; but  in  our  inmost  soul,  we  believe  it 
will  not  come,  till  the  principles  of  that  religion  shall  take 
a firmer  hold  upon  the  affections  of  those  who  profess  to 
receive  it,  and  rear  a mightier  embankment  around  their 
sordid  and  stormy  passions.  When  the  missionary  shall 
find  an  auxiliary  in  the  stainless  life  of  every  compatriot 
who  visits  the  scene  of  his  labours  for  purposes  of  pleasure 
or  of  gain, — when  he  can  point  not  only  to  the  pure  max- 
ims and  sublime  doctrines  proclaimed  by  the  F ounder  of 
his  faith,  but  to  the  clustering  graces  that  adorn  its  pro- 
fessors,— then  indeed  will  the  day  dawn,  and  the  day-star 
of  the  millennium  arise  upon  the  world ! 


THE  END- 


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